Israeli troops move away from Irish forces in Lebanon

The Irish Defence Forces said the situation around its positions remained "relatively calm overnight"

Israel's armed forces have moved away from their positions near Irish troops in Lebanon, the Irish Defence Forces have confirmed.

It comes after the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed concern about the Israeli Defence Forces' (IDF) proximity to an outpost where a number of Irish peacekeepers are stationed.

Irish officials said there are now no IDF personnel or vehicles nearby, "having moved north of the post" on Tuesday evening.

"The cessation of activity and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from their positions around the Irish post marks a positive development amidst heightened tensions in the region," they said.

'Relatively calm'

On Tuesday, Israel announced troops had entered western Lebanon, with its invasion previously focused on the east.

The UN's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said a quarter of Lebanese territory is now under "Israeli military displacement orders".

About 1.2m people have been displaced in Lebanon since Israel began intense air strikes last month in its conflict with Hezbollah.

On Wednesday, the Israeli military said it had hit 185 targets in the previous 24 hours.

The situation around Irish positions remained "relatively calm overnight", the Irish Defence Forces said.

"Although clashes between both parties to the conflict persist in other areas of the Irish sector," they added.