UN Secretary General says IDF have left position where Irish peacekeepers are stationed

The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said that IDF soldiers have left their position where Irish peacekeepers are stationed. 

The Israeli army had been positioned near UN post 6-52 where Irish peacekeepers are stationed, raising concerns for people in Ireland with family members currently stationed in Lebanon. 

Speaking to RTÉ, Guterres said: "Yesterday, I had a chance to speak with your prime minister and after that, I did a number of démarches with different entities, and I can now tell you that those Israeli tanks and other armed elements that were around the 6-52 position have left."

The Secretary General added: "I strongly appeal, strongly appeal to both parties to fully respect the safety and security of UNIFIL".

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A spokesperson for UNIFIL in Lebanon also confirmed that the IDF had left the position near Irish peacekeepers in the region.

Meanwhile, Israeli MP Moshe Tur-Paz told RTÉ's Drivetime that UNIFIL soldiers in Lebanon have been told to move back and they will not be under threat. He added that if they refuse, they are "putting their head in a lion's mouth".

He said that UNIFIL soldiers have failed to protect Israeli citizens and that Israel has been defending itself for the past year. 

The Israeli MP added: "If the civilians are not there, and the only ones left there are terrorists, there's nothing that the UNIFIL soldiers can do there and they have failed in defending our citizens so we are calling on them to move aside so we can fight terror.

"I expect Ireland to stand with Israel as a democracy that is fighting for its life for over a year now."