At a time when there is growing "deep international concern" over the security developments in southern Lebanon due to heightened clashes between "Hezbollah" and Israel, the military court, with great precision, released the individual accused of killing Irish soldier Sean Rooney. Rooney was a member of the Irish battalion operating in the UNIFIL.

The released suspect, identified as Mohammad Ayyad, has financial ties to "Hezbollah". Earlier this year, Judge Fadi Sawan issued charges against him, accusing him of murder along with four other fugitives, all associated with "Hezbollah."

Irish soldier Sean Rooney lost his life, and three of his colleagues were wounded on December 14 in an incident involving gunfire on their armored vehicle while passing through the Al-Aqbiyeh area, south of Sidon.

Less than two weeks later, "Hezbollah" surrendered the main suspect to the Lebanese army. Judge Sawan's indictment accused the defendants of "forming a criminal gang and executing a single criminal project." It emphasized that the actions of the detained Mohammad Ayyad and the four fugitives from justice fall under Article 549, paragraph 5, of the Lebanese Penal Code, which stipulates the death penalty for crimes committed against a public official while performing their duty or because of it.

In a related context, Irish soldiers are gearing up to head to the south next month, with Battalion 123 deploying 334 Irish personnel and nine individuals from Malta within the UNIFIL force.

International concerns persist amidst ongoing exchanges of artillery and missiles along the southern border between Lebanon and Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that their primary goal is a complete victory over Hamas and the return of captives, followed by addressing issues in the north.

He instructed the army to prepare for all scenarios to deal with "Hezbollah."

Netanyahu highlighted the intensive exchanges along the front with Lebanon and the army's readiness for any possible scenarios.