Unifil

Latest news and analysis on the United Nation Interim Force in Lebanon

Irish UN peacekeepers try to stay safe amid Lebanon-Israel border flare-ups

Troops have repeatedly sheltered in bunkers during intense shelling and rocket launches since outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas

Thu Nov 30 2023 - 15:08

Ireland voices concern over release on bail of sole suspect in killing of Pte Seán Rooney in Lebanon

Mohammad Ayyad is charged with multiple offences relating to the lethal attack on a convoy of Irish peacekeepers

By Hannah McCarthy and Conor GallagherWed Nov 15 2023 - 16:06

Attacks on Unifil personnel in Lebanon, where 300 Irish troops are based, condemned

Nepalese peacekeeper injured in latest shelling as all Irish forces accounted for and safe - Defence Forces

By Conor Lally and Jennifer BraySun Oct 29 2023 - 18:19

Irish soldiers in Lebanon ‘holding up very well’ amid tensions in the Middle East

Hizbullah militants have been firing rockets into Israel from the Irish area of operations

By Vivienne ClarkeWed Oct 25 2023 - 09:47

Irish Unifil troops safe after rocket strikes peacekeeping headquarters in Lebanon

Soldiers on Lebanon-Israel border forced to shelter after exchanges between Lebanese and Israeli territory

By Fiachra GallagherSun Oct 15 2023 - 22:40

Netanyahu vows to ‘demolish Hamas’ as conditions in Gaza deteriorate

Conditions deteriorating within besieged Gaza as civilian deaths from Israeli air strikes continue to rise

Sun Oct 15 2023 - 19:17

Irish Army takes shelter in Lebanon amid shelling as fear of Hizbullah ‘second front’ grows

Defence Forces members are stationed at ‘Blue Line’ between Israel and Hizbullah amid Gaza conflict

By Conor GallagherFri Oct 13 2023 - 17:01

Israeli army describes Hamas attack as ‘worst day’ in history as death toll rises

Thousands wounded in Israel and Gaza after escalation of conflict following surprise attack by militants on Saturday

By Mark Weiss, Kitty Holland and Conor GallagherMon Oct 09 2023 - 08:02

Irish officials express relief at renewal of Unifil deal

Irish troops will be able to move freely under new mandate but tensions remain with Hezbollah

By Conor GallagherFri Sept 01 2023 - 20:40

Murderer of Irish peacekeepers reportedly released after 8½ years in prison

Department of Defence is attempting to confirm reports Mahmoud Bazzi was released last month in Lebanon

By Conor GallagherSun Aug 27 2023 - 17:07

Private Seán Rooney: Lebanese military court adjourns first hearing into fatal attack

Criminal trial of five men allegedly involved in attack on convoy of Irish soldiers expected to begin in September

By Hannah McCarthyFri Jul 14 2023 - 12:08

Withdrawal of Irish troops from UN mission expected due to Battlegroup commitment

Defence Forces involvement in Undof mission in Syria likely to come to an end

By Conor GallagherTue Feb 21 2023 - 02:00

Trooper Shane Kearney discharged from hospital

Soldier was injured during convoy attack that killed Pte Seán Rooney in Lebanon

By Mark HilliardFri Feb 03 2023 - 13:21

UN peacekeeping force completes investigation into attack that killed Irish soldier

Tánaiste Micheál Martin visits Irish troops serving with Unifil as part of official visit to Lebanon

By Hannah McCarthyThu Jan 26 2023 - 05:00

Pte Seán Rooney death: Progress in Lebanon investigation but Irish officials urge caution

Suspect handed over to Lebanese investigators is a supporter of Hizbullah “but not a member”

By Conor Gallagher and Jennifer BrayTue Dec 27 2022 - 05:00

Pte Seán Rooney death: Arrest made in inquiry into killing of Irish peacekeeper in Lebanon

Hizbullah says man detained is a supporter of the militia, but not a member

By Conor GallagherMon Dec 26 2022 - 13:24

Hezbollah angered by changes to Unifil mandate

Mandate was renewed and slightly amended in August, authorising Unifil ‘to conduct its operations independently’

By Vincent DuracSat Dec 24 2022 - 00:00

Lebanon signals ‘very promising’ progress in Pte Seán Rooney murder investigation

Country’s ambassador to Ireland tells Micheál Martin and soldier’s family ‘Seán’s sacrifice will not be in vain’

By Conor Gallagher and Michael JansenFri Dec 23 2022 - 18:19

Why would Irish peacekeeping troops come under fire in Lebanon?

The tragic death of Private Sean Rooney in Lebanon last week marks the first Irish peacekeeper death in combat in the region since 1999. The 23 year old was a member of the UN's 10,000-strong mission, Unifil. It's understood the vehicle became surrounded by an angry mob near the coastal down of Al Aqbieh on the night of Wednesday, 14th December. But why would the UN vehicle be the target of such ire? And what has caused the ratcheting up of tension in the Hizbullah-controlled in the region? Crime and Security Correspondent, Conor Gallagher, and retired Lieutenant Colonel and military historian, Dan Harvey, frame the conflict and analyse the threat on this episode of In The News.

Fri Dec 23 2022 - 05:00

Listen | 19:06

Seán Rooney funeral: Strangled with grief, a family struggles to say goodbye to son, fiance and hero soldier

Danny Boy and The Sally Gardens floated in the air at Pte Rooney’s Dundalk farewell

By Justine McCarthyThu Dec 22 2022 - 13:11

Funeral of Pte Seán Rooney to take place in Dundalk on Thursday

Body of peacekeeper (24) killed while working on UN mission in Lebanon arrived back in Ireland on Monday

By Conor GallagherMon Dec 19 2022 - 16:52

Irish investigators believe car door opened at roadblock before Pte Rooney killed

Trooper Shane Kearney remains in serious condition in Lebanese hospital

By Conor Lally, Conor Gallagher and Cormac McQuinnMon Dec 19 2022 - 05:00

‘Pte Seán Rooney is now on the way home. Your duty is done’: Remains of soldier leave Beirut

An Irish Air Corps plane is due to fly home the soldier’s remains from Beirut airport following a short ceremony

By Conor Lally, Conor Gallagher and Cormac McQuinnSun Dec 18 2022 - 19:17

Two soldiers who received ‘minor injuries’ in Lebanon attack released from hospital

A team of eight Defence Forces personnel is on its way to Lebanon to help determine how Pte Seán Rooney died

By Ronan McGreevySat Dec 17 2022 - 15:56

Lebanon attack: ‘Anything to do with the Leb, I’m tuned into. It doesn’t get easier. The older we get, the worse it gets’

Irish troops are operating in increasingly constrained conditions among a suspicious population

By Conor GallagherSat Dec 17 2022 - 05:00

Pessimism in Ireland about Lebanese investigation into soldier’s death

Three investigations have been launched into Pte Seán Rooney’s death, by the Defence Forces, the UN and the Lebanese authorities

By Conor GallagherSat Dec 17 2022 - 02:24

Private Seán Rooney death: Bullet entered through rear of vehicle, indicating a targeted killing

Taoiseach says Ireland determined to establish facts as arrangements made to repatriate remains of Pte Seán Rooney

By Conor Gallagher, Cormac McQuinn and Vivienne ClarkeFri Dec 16 2022 - 17:09

The Irish Times view on the tragic death of an Irish soldier in the Lebanon

The important and dangerous work done by Ireland's peacemakers must never be taken for granted

Fri Dec 16 2022 - 06:17

Seán Rooney: a ‘selfless’ soldier who was due to marry next year

Fiancee leads tributes to Irish peacekeeper who was due to wed next year

By Jade WilsonFri Dec 16 2022 - 05:00

Irish peacekeeper killed in Lebanon by locals ‘angry at UN presence’

Unifil armoured vehicle carrying Private Seán Rooney was carrying out routine journey when it became separated from accompanying vehicle

By Conor GallagherFri Dec 16 2022 - 05:00

Shane Kearney: A community prays for wounded soldier known as a ‘tidy hurler’ and diligent student

Hundreds of people throng St John the Baptist’s church in Killeagh to show their support and solidarity with Trooper Kearney’s family

By Barry RocheThu Dec 15 2022 - 21:59

First Irish soldier to die in combat since 1999

Private Sean Rooney is the 88th member of the Defence Forces to lose their life overseas

By Conor GallagherThu Dec 15 2022 - 20:01

Lebanon attack: What happens next?

Multiple investigations have begun into the killing of Pte Seán Rooney in the south of the country

By Conor GallagherThu Dec 15 2022 - 19:24

Fatal attack on Irish troops in Lebanon comes amid increased tensions with UN force

Standoffs with people have become more common in recent years against the backdrop of an economic crisis in Lebanon

By Conor GallagherThu Dec 15 2022 - 13:58

‘Full investigation’ promised into attack that left Irish peacekeeper dead in Lebanon

Varadkar tells Dáil that Simon Coveney will meet UN Secretary General to discuss the loss

By Sarah BurnsThu Dec 15 2022 - 13:06

‘A tragic event’: Irish soldier (24) dies after convoy ambushed in Lebanon

Vehicles carrying eight peacekeepers fired at after being surrounded by ‘hostile mob’ while driving to Beirut, Coveney says

By Conor Gallagher, Naomi O'Leary, Hannah McCarthy and Barry RocheThu Dec 15 2022 - 12:18

An ‘extraordinary sacrifice’: tributes paid to Irish peacekeepers killed and injured in Lebanon

President Michael D Higgins says Irish soldiers ‘risk their lives every day in order to build and maintain peace in conflict zones’

By Naomi O'Leary and Vivienne ClarkeThu Dec 15 2022 - 10:35

Ireland seeks EU structure to share UN peacekeeping information

Initiative by Minister of State aims to increase EU participation in UN missions

By Peter MurtaghTue Nov 20 2018 - 00:52

Over 100 additional Irish soldiers to join Unifil in Lebanon

The additional personnel will be deployed within two current Defence Force companies

By Pat LeahyTue Sept 04 2018 - 21:56

Killing of Irish soldier by Israelis believed to be ‘deliberate and unprovoked’

Cpl Dermot McLaughlin killed when Israeli tank shell hit Unifil post in January 1987

By Peter MurtaghSat Dec 30 2017 - 13:30

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