Hungarian soldiers fighting in Israel had to seek refuge in a bunker

Sixteen Hungarian soldiers are currently stationed at the Israeli-Lebanese border. Most recently, they had to seek refuge in a bunker to escape Israeli airstrikes.

Hungarian soldiers abroad

Sixteen Hungarian soldiers are stationed at the Israeli border in southern Lebanon. According to the Irish Mirror, these soldiers, along with several of their fellow service members, were compelled to take shelter in bunkers.

Hungarian peacekeepers are deployed with the Lebanese armed organisation Hezbollah. They are accompanied by 338 Irish soldiers, as well as Polish and Maltese troops. An Irish army spokesman said that the peacekeepers entered the purpose-built bunker at 1 pm local time and emerged nearly four hours later. No injuries were reported.

A total of 16 Hungarian soldiers are participating in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon, with 13 of them involved in the incident. A multi-ethnic unit appears to be operating near At Tiri, as well as at the base on the Israeli border. The majority of the soldiers are of Irish and Polish nationality. The first rotation of Hungarian soldiers took place in September.

Statement from the Ministry of Defence

The Hungarian Defence Forces have also confirmed the news. Currently, 16 Hungarian soldiers are serving in Lebanon, comprising the second contingent. A welcome-back ceremony for the first batch was held at the Maria Theresia barracks on 19 October.

Colonel Norbert Vadászi recalled that in July last year, the Honvéd Vezérérérkar (National Defence Headquarters) assigned the corps the task of preparing and forming the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in six-month rotations until 2025.

“They have been assigned duties such as surveillance, patrolling, and collaborating with the Lebanese army. We maintain regular contact with them,” the Hungarian Defence Forces informed hvg.hu.

“We, Hungarian soldiers, will primarily carry out patrol duties and will be responsible for guarding and protecting the camp,” said Lieutenant Krecz. He added that they maintained continuous communication with the troops on the field, allowing them to make thorough preparations in advance.