"Irish Troops Accounted For in Lebanon" - Tánaiste

The Tánaiste has re-assured families of Irish Defence Force peacekeepers in Lebanon that they are safe and accounted for.

Micheál Martin made his comments in the Dáil amid fears of a worsening situation in the middle-east.

Violence has escalated with Israel sending more troops into Lebanon in a ground operation.

This follows a push back by Hezbollah fighters against Benjamin Netanyahu's forces, following clashes on the border.

The militant group claims to have fired missiles at areas north of the Israeli city of Haifa - with Israel warning people in 24 towns in southern Lebanon to evacuate.

Last night, the Israeli Prime Minister promised retaliation after Iran launched 200 missiles at his country.

The situation has led to calls on Government to completely withdraw Irish troops in Lebanon, something the Tánaiste said they could not do unilaterally.

There are around 350 members of the Defence Forces are in the country, along with 150 Irish citizens.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin says the soldiers are safe right now.

"I am very conscious of the families at home here that are very worried." The Tánaiste said.

"I want to reassure families that they are safe and are in their complexes right now.

"We are concentrating on protection and with our European colleagues to try and deescalate this."