The Defence Forces has condemned an aerial drop of unidentified chemicals by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) over areas of the “Blue Line” that separates southern Lebanon from Israel.
Personnel from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) were forced to cancel activities in the area, including security patrols, while the chemicals were dropped from the skies. Though the IDF claimed the substances were non-toxic, it also warned Unifil that its troops should stay clear of the area and take cover.
Ireland has more than 350 troops serving on the multinational Unifil deployment in south Lebanon. Although they were not adversely impacted by the chemical drop, the Defence Forces has…