Israel-Hezbollah latest: ‘Unprecedented’ rocket attack targets Haifa as Israel expands Lebanon ground invasion

Israel has endangered Irish peacekeepers along the border with Lebanon, Ireland’s deputy premier has said.

Micheal Martin made the comments as Irish premier Simon Harris also criticised breaches of the Blue Line by Israeli forces as unacceptable.

It comes amid concern for the safety of Irish peacekeepers involved in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) amid heightened conflict in the region.

Israeli forces have recently breached the Blue Line demarcation between southern Lebanon and Israel, which is observed by the UN peacekeeping unit.

The Irish Defence Forces has said the development raised “significant concerns”, particularly on the breaches which occurred near Irish battalion posts. In a statement, it said sheltering in place remains the “safest option” for Irish troops at this time.

The update follows reports from Lebanese media outlet Al-Mayadeen reported that Hezbollah fighters had been instructed to hold back from engaging with Israeli forces near the Unifil site “to protect the lives of the international personnel”.

The reports also accused the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) of using Unifil peacekeepers as human shields to cover up advances on the ground.

The victims of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel have been remembered at a vigil in Hove.

Their names were read out to a silent crowd who gathered in Palmeira Square on Monday, a year after the deadly attack and kidnappings.

A prayer was also said for the victims.