Rome Takes a Stand: Italy Confronts Israel Amid Rising Tensions Over UN Peacekeeper Drama

The Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, had a telephone conversation this afternoon with the Commander of the Western Sector of the UNIFIL mission, General Messina, from whom he received an update on the mission and the situation of the Italian contingent engaged in Lebanon, after the headquarters general and two Italian bases located in the outposts were hit by gunfire from the Israeli army. The Italian Government formally protested to the Israeli authorities and “firmly reiterated that what is happening near the base of the UNIFIL contingent is not admissible”.

“Also for this reason, the Government, through the Minister of Defence, has summoned the Israeli Ambassador to Italy – we read again in the note from Palazzo Chigi on the matter -. President Meloni, who carefully follows the developments, in constant contact with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, and of Defense, Guido Crosetto, expressed his personal and Government’s strong closeness to our soldiers currently engaged in Lebanon within the UN mission and the bilateral MIBIL mission. Meloni recalled that the Italians continue to provide invaluable work for the stabilization of the area, in compliance with the United Nations mandate. The Government, in confirming the fundamental role of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon, continues to work towards the cessation of hostilities and the de-escalation of the region”.