The bases of the Unifil mission in southern Lebanon are back under attack. The Italian headquarters in Shama was hit again. This time there are injuries, four, fortunately not life-threatening. In the early hours of the day, the mission announced, two 122 mm rockets hit a bunker and a logistics area used by the international military police, causing significant damage to nearby infrastructure. One of the structures caught fire, but the flames were quickly put out. Due to the explosion, some glass shattered, hitting the four soldiers belonging to the Sassari Brigade, who immediately received treatment at the base hospital. Recalling that “any attack against peacekeepers constitutes a serious violation of international law and of UN Security Council Resolution 1701”, Unifil, which evoked the responsibility of Hezbollah or affiliated groups, urged the parties struggling to avoid fighting near its positions: “Deliberate or accidental attacks against peacekeepers must cease immediately.”
The attack sparked outrage from the Italian government. Our contingent “remains in southern Lebanon to offer a window of opportunity for peace and cannot become hostage to militia attacks”, commented Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, informing that he had immediately contacted the headquarters to ensure the conditions of the military, “it is intolerable that once again a Unifil base has been hit”. Crosetto then announced that he wanted to “speak with the new Israeli Defense Minister, which has been impossible since his inauguration until today, to ask him to avoid using the Unifil bases as a shield”. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni learned the news of the new attacks “with profound indignation and concern” and reiterated “once again” that “they are unacceptable”. Meloni then renewed the appeal “so that the parties on the ground guarantee, at all times, the safety of the Unifil soldiers and collaborate to quickly identify those responsible”. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani remarked that, “just as we told Israel to pay maximum attention, we say it equally firmly to Hezbollah. The Italian military cannot be touched”, “Hezbollah learns to use weapons, which evidently he doesn’t know how to use and causes damage.” “Intolerable criminal acts” is the summary of the Democratic Party secretary Elly Schlein, who asked “at the same time that the government report as soon as possible on the initiatives that are being adopted for the ceasefire”. A firm condemnation of the attacks, which represent “a serious and unacceptable violation of international law”, also came from the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell.
And the announcement by the International Criminal Court in The Hague of the issuing of arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accused of war crimes and against humanity in the Gaza Strip. The West appears divided on the decision and its possible application. US President Joe Biden defined it as “scandalous”, “whatever the ICC may insinuate, there is no equivalence, none, between Israel and Hamas. We will always be at Israel’s side against threats to its security”. While President-elect Donald Trump, according to Israeli media, is considering personal sanctions against the chief prosecutor of the ICC Karim Khan and the judges who issued the warrants. Viktor Orban is also ready to challenge the Hague Court. The Hungarian prime minister confirmed that the mandate “will not be respected” and invited Netanyahu to the country. The German government “takes note” of the sentence, adding that it will evaluate “further steps” only “when a visit to Germany by Netanyahu and Gallant is foreseeable”. Paris also takes note of the ICC’s decision, reiterating loyalty “to its long-standing commitment to supporting international justice”, but without specifying whether it will carry out arrests if the two accused were to enter French territory. Madrid and London, however, have assured that they are ready to execute the arrest warrants. Moscow is indifferent. The Kremlin has made it known that it considers the Hague decisions to be “insignificant” and of no legal value, considering that an arrest warrant has also been issued against Putin. Beijing instead hopes that the Court “maintains an objective and impartial position and exercises its powers in accordance with the law and in accordance with the unified standards, and that it fully and in good faith interprets and applies the Rome Statute and the laws general”.
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**How could the involvement of Hezbollah in these attacks affect Lebanon’s internal stability and its relationships with neighboring countries?**
**Interview with Dr. Elena Rossi, International Relations Expert**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Dr. Rossi. Given the recent attacks on the UNIFIL base in Lebanon and the injuries to Italian soldiers, what can you tell us about the current situation and its implications?
**Dr. Rossi:** Thank you for having me. The recent attack on the UNIFIL base is an alarming development in a volatile region. It not only endangers the lives of peacekeepers but also poses significant challenges for international diplomacy. The Italian government’s response reflects the gravity of the situation.
**Interviewer:** How do you assess the Italian government’s reaction to these attacks?
**Dr. Rossi:** The immediate condemnation from both Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni indicates that Italy is taking this very seriously. Their statements emphasize the need for the safety of UNIFIL personnel and call for accountability from all parties involved. It’s clear that Italy recognizes the risk of becoming a target for militia groups and is advocating for greater protection for its troops.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of militias, Hezbollah has been suggested as the possible actor behind the attacks. How does this impact the security dynamics in Lebanon?
**Dr. Rossi:** Hezbollah’s involvement, whether direct or indirect, heightens the tension between various factions in the region. If Hezbollah is indeed responsible, it signals a dangerous escalation of hostilities, not just against international forces but also against Lebanese stability as a whole. This could provoke a strong counter-response from the Israeli government and disrupt attempts at peace negotiations.
**Interviewer:** The International Criminal Court has also issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials recently, which has stirred controversy, especially in the U.S. How do you interpret the Western response to this?
**Dr. Rossi:** The divisions in the West regarding the ICC’s decision reflect broader geopolitical alignments. President Biden’s strong defense of Israel illustrates the U.S.’s commitment to its ally, but it also highlights the challenges of addressing accountability in conflict situations. The arrest warrants complicate dialog and place pressure on Western nations to reconcile their support for Israel with their commitment to international law.
**Interviewer:** What do you foresee as the next steps for the international community and how might they address the escalating violence?
**Dr. Rossi:** The international community, particularly the UN and EU, will need to engage diplomatically to prevent further escalation. This may involve reinforcing peacekeeping missions, facilitating dialog between conflicting parties, and ensuring that all actors respect international law. Furthermore, there may be calls for an independent investigation into the attacks on UNIFIL to hold accountable those responsible. Time will tell if these steps can lead to a substantive decrease in hostilities.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Rossi, for your insights on this critical issue. It’s essential for the public to stay informed about these developments.
**Dr. Rossi:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to keep discussing these issues as they evolve.