Statement from Minister Helen McEntee following phone call with Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji

Statement from Minister Helen McEntee following phone call with Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji

• From: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

• Published on: 9 April 2026
• Last updated on: 9 April 2026

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, spoke by phone this afternoon with Lebanon's Foreign Minister, Youssef Rajji, regarding the situation in Lebanon and the wider to the conflict in the region.

During the call, Minister McEntee expressed her deep concern about yesterday's attacks on Beirut and other parts on Lebanon and the mounting civilian death toll since the conflict began.

Minister Rajji informed her of the latest situation and the actions of the Lebanese Government.

Minister McEntee restated Ireland's condemnation Israel's attacks on Lebanon, which are causing untold death and destruction in Lebanon and which threaten to undermine the recent US-Iran ceasefire and restart the wider conflict.

She emphasised the need for peace, for the ceasefire to be upheld by all parties to the current conflict, and that it was essential that Lebanon be included in that ceasefire.

Minister McEntee assured Foreign Minister Rajji of Ireland's continued commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty and security and to UNIFIL's role in southern Lebanon, and paid tribute to the professionalism and dedication of Irish troops serving with UNIFIL in challenging and dangerous conditions.

Speaking after the call, Minister McEntee said: "I am appalled by yesterday's brutal attacks by Israel across Lebanon which resulted in over 200 dead and many more injured. I conveyed Ireland's sympathy to Foreign Minister Rajji and assured him of Ireland's support and solidarity.

"Israel's attacks on Lebanon are unacceptable and must stop. They risk all efforts to bring peace and stability to the region. I have consistently condemned Hezbollah for its attacks on Israel. Israel's military response is entirely disproportionate.

"I have welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, but it is essential that this also extends to Lebanon. We have consistently called for dialogue and diplomacy to find a lasting end to this conflict. I call on all parties to fully observe the ceasefire, to desist from any actions that undermine it and to support efforts to reach a long-term end to the conflict."