Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2026
85. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her Department’s position on the incursions into southern Lebanon by Israel and the displacement of over a million people by Israel in Lebanon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22943/26]
View answerI am deeply concerned by the expansion of conflict into Lebanon following Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel, which Ireland condemns. Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel at the behest of Iran must stop.
However, Ireland also condemns Israel’s wholly disproportionate response. Israel’s aerial bombardment, ground action and widespread evacuation orders in both southern Lebanon and suburbs of Beirut, not only undermines the fragile progress made in Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, it has resulted in over 1,000 people including over a hundred children being killed and over a million being displaced. These actions are in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
It is deeply disturbing to see Israel’s Defence Minister say that the objective is to treat south Lebanese villages and their population in the same way as Gaza and that the intention is to deny the possibility for displaced populations to return.
Ireland urges Israel to halt its military operations and allow the Lebanese Armed Forces to assert their role in providing security for Lebanon. I commend the Lebanese government for its decision to ban all Hezbollah military activity, as well as its efforts before the conflict to disarm Hezbollah and increase Lebanese army presence south of the Litani river. The constant bombardment and ground operations by Israel undermine these efforts.
We support calls for a diplomatic solution. The Lebanese people have too long lived under the threat of Israeli action and the presence of Hezbollah.
Ireland has been a long-term supporter of Lebanon and the need to for peace and stability, which I reaffirmed to Foreign Minister Ragii in my call with him on the 5 March. I was pleased to be able to announce €3 million in humanitarian support earlier this month to support those directly impacted by the current conflict.
I am proud of the continued contribution of the women and men of the Defense Forces in UNIFIL who continue to play an essential role, as they have done for many years, in Lebanon. I am regularly briefed by the Chief of Staff and discussed recent developments situation with Jean Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations. Our peacekeepers are safe and continuing to monitor the situation in their areas of operation. Clearly, they are operating in a difficult environment and I want to acknowledge their professionalism and resilience at this challenging time.
I remain in regular contact with my EU counterparts on the situation Lebanon, and the wider region. My officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continue to monitor the situation closely.
