Simon Harris, the Irish prime minister, has urged Israel to heed “the concerns of the international community” and “stop firing on UN peacekeepers”.

Israel said its forces fired at a threat near a United Nations position in Lebanon Friday, acknowledging that a “hit” was responsible for wounding two Blue Helmets.

The two Sri Lankan peacekeepers were injured at Unifil’s main base in Naqura, southern Lebanon, according to the mission. It followed two Indonesian soldiers suffering injuries when tank fire hit a watchtower the previous day.

The recent incidents that have sparked a fierce diplomatic backlash. Keir Starmer said he was “appalled” at reports Israel deliberately fired on the peacekeepers, while US president Joe Biden said he was asking Israel not to hit UN peacekeepers. The leaders of France, Italy and Spain said in a joint statement the attacks were “unjustifiable” and a “serious violation of the obligations of Israel” under humanitarian international law.

“Israel must stop firing on UN peacekeepers serving with Unifil in Lebanon,” Ireland’s leader said in a statement. “Israel must listen to the voice and the concerns of the international community.”