Taoiseach Simon Harris is becoming increasingly concerned at the situation in Southern Lebanon, where Irish troops are currently serving as United Nations peacekeepers.
On Monday Israeli strikes killed more than 180 people and wounded over 700 as tensions with Hezbollah are being ratcheted up amid fears of an escalating Middle-East conflict. Israel’s war in Gaza has been ongoing for 11-and-a-half months with over 40,000 people killed.
Mr Harris is in New York for the opening of the United Nations General Assembly.
“I am extremely concerned by the overnight bombardment of Southern Lebanon, the massive loss of life reported there and the specter that now arises of a second catastrophic front in the war in the Middle East,” he said.
“This week the world gathers at the UN to discuss peace and working together, while at the same time the Middle East is on the brink of further human catastrophe. An all-out war must be avoided at all costs. I will be using all my engagements at the UN to stress this point and I fully support the appeal from President Biden overnight for that to be the focus of all sides.”
Referring to the situation facing Irish troops, he said: “The government is receiving regular updates, and the Chief of Staff and Defence Forces are in constant contact and monitoring developments. Our troops in UNIFIL are well trained and their safety is our main concern.”
Meanwhile, Tánaiste Micheál Martin is also in New York this week where he will hold bilateral engagements with counterparts at the United Nations.
He is also presiding over the opening of a new Ireland House at 200 Park Avenue, the Met Life buiding.
He said: “Ireland has committed to using every available opportunity to highlight the catastrophic humanitarian situations in Gaza and Sudan and I look forward to meeting with other foreign ministers as we discuss the path to sustainable peace.”
