Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald has expressed her grave concern for UNIFIL personnel in Lebanon, including Irish peacekeepers.

Ms McDonald’s remarks came as Israel forces opened fire on UNIFIL positions and reports from the international media that UN personnel have been injured in the attack.

The Sinn Féin leader said:

“This attack on the UN peacekeeping positions shows Israel crossing yet another ‘redline’ and there are now very grave concerns for the safety of Unifil personnel, including Irish peacekeepers bravely holding the line in Lebanon.

“Firing on Unifil positions in Lebanon highlights once again that Israel believes it can do whatever it wants, without consequences. This is because it has been handed a carte blanche of impunity by world leaders, those with the power to stop its genocidal war in Gaza and Lebanon.

“The international community must draw the line. The only way to stop Israel’s onslaught on the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples is to end its impunity, to hold Israel to account, to exert pressure so that a ceasefire is the only option.

“The arming and funding of Israel’s war machine must stop. The Irish government must make this absolutely clear to the EU, Britain and the United States. It is time for a forthright, clear and unambiguous stance from the Irish government on this matter.”