Israel hit three bases of the Unifil mission in southern Lebanon, including two Italian bases, close to the border. There are no Italian soldiers injured while two Indonesian soldiers were slightly injured. An action that sparked an Italian reaction. “Already in the early hours of this morning I contacted the Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, to protest with him and firmly remind him that what is happening near the Italian Unifil bases in Southern Lebanon and, in general, towards the Unifil contingent starting from the shooting against Unifil’s headquarters is, for me and for the Italian government, unacceptable”, reads a statement from the Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto.
The minister reiterated that there are no Italians injured. “Although I received guarantees on the utmost attention to the safety of military personnel, I reiterated that any possible error that could put Italian and Unifil soldiers at risk must be avoided – the note continues – Within the scope of my prerogatives, today afternoon, I also summoned the Israeli ambassador to Italy to whom I firmly protested, asking him to formally represent to the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the Israeli Armed Forces that what is happening in Southern Lebanon, towards the contingent, the headquarters and, in particular, towards the Italian bases of UNIFIL is absolutely not admissible, as well as being in clear contrast to International Law and in open violation of Resolution 1701”.
In detail, Crosetto explains that “yesterday, in the evening, regular IDF soldiers had neutralized some components of the video surveillance system at the 1-31 base, the lighting system and a radio repeater at the 1-32A base with the shooting of portable weapons. This morning, some shots from portable weapons hit the inside of the 1-31 base, which was followed by a drone overflight. The situation is currently under control, the personnel are safe incidents are intolerable, they must be carefully and decisively avoided. I have protested to my Israeli counterpart and to the Israeli ambassador to Italy”. And again: “This morning I sent a formal communication to the United Nations to reiterate the unacceptability of what is happening in Southern Lebanon and to ensure Italy’s full and constructive collaboration in all military initiatives aimed at encouraging a de-escalation of the situation and the restoration of international law. The safety of the Italian soldiers deployed in Lebanon remains an absolute priority for me and for the entire Italian Government, so that the Italian peacekeepers – he concludes – continue their work of mediation and support for peace and stability. of Lebanon and the entire region”.
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