Two distant bangs greeted us shortly after our arrival at the UN base UNP 2-45, better known as Camp Shamrock.
The bangs were air strikes carried out by Israel, after earlier rocket attacks by the Iran backed militant group Hezbollah, which operates in this region.
Since 7 October, these kinds of attacks have been taking place on an almost daily basis in southern Lebanon, and the death toll continues to grow, estimated now at more than 270 by local media.
Camp Shamrock is the base for 332 Irish peacekeepers. It is situated about 7km from the border with Israel, and is close to towns and villages which are controlled by, or sympathetic to, Hezbollah.
On our journey south from Beirut, we passed through several towns and villages displaying large photographs of their martyred dead. For our own safety, we were advised not to point cameras out the window of our armoured vehicles as we passed through.
Tensions have been running high in this area.
The region has become significantly more dangerous since 7 October when Hamas fighters attacked and killed around 1,200 Israelis. Israel responded by pounding Gaza, and killing almost 30,000 Palestinians.
In southern Lebanon, Hezbollah – in solidarity with Palestinians – reacted to the violence in Gaza by targeting Israeli border towns with rocket attacks, and Israel responded to these by intensifying airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in the area where Irish peacekeepers carry out their duties.
Many Israelis have moved south to safety, and many Lebanese – mainly woman and children – have moved North to avoid Israeli airstrikes. The Irish peacekeepers remain in the area, but their task has become significantly more challenging due to the escalating hostilities.
When there is live fire over the camp, day or night, the troops that do not have essential tasks to carry out will go to their bunker positions.
The bunkers provide shelter from any possible misfired rockets, and while the camp has not been struck thus far, the troops here are finding themselves heading for the bunkers regularly, often several times a week.
Tensions are high in this area but the soldiers from Ireland, who have had a presence here since 1978, say they are well trained to deal with high pressure situations, and they maintain safety as a priority.
But the constant buzzing of Israeli drones over Camp Shamrock is an ever-present reminder that an attack could happen at any time, and preparing for the unexpected is the new challenge.
