Outrage over yet another episode against the peacekeepers in Lebanon. Four Italian soldiers from the Unifil mission were injured following the launch of two 122 mm rockets fired at the UNP 2-3 base in Shama, in southern Lebanon, which hosts the Italian contingent and the Western Sector Command of Unifil. The military would not be serious. According to the initial reconstruction of the Ministry of Defense, the two rockets hit a bunker on the base and a room near the international military police, causing damage to the surrounding infrastructure. Some glass shattered due to the explosion, hitting the four soldiers. The two rockets could belong to Hezbollah, as reported by Rainews 24.
“I learn with deep indignation and concern the news of the new attacks suffered by the Italian headquarters of Unifil in southern Lebanon, which also caused the wounding of some of our soldiers engaged in a peacekeeping mission”, states the president of I recommend Giorgia Meloni. “I would like to express my and the Government’s solidarity and closeness to the wounded, their families and sincere gratitude for the activity carried out daily by the entire Italian contingent in Lebanon. I reiterate once again”, continues Meloni, “that such attacks are unacceptable and I renew my appeal for the parties on the ground to guarantee, at all times, the safety of Unifil soldiers and to collaborate to quickly identify those responsible”.
“I immediately contacted the Commander of the Contingent, Brigadier General Stefano Messina – says the Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto – to make sure of the conditions of the four soldiers, who do not cause concern. I also contacted my Lebanese counterpart reiterating that the Italian contingent of Unifil remains in southern Lebanon to offer a window of opportunity for peace and cannot become hostage to militia attacks. It is intolerable that once again a Unifil base has been established hit.” “I will try to speak to the new Israeli Defense Minister – he adds – which has been impossible since his inauguration until today, to ask him to avoid using the Unifil bases as a shield. Even more intolerable is the presence of terrorists in Southern Lebanon which jeopardize the safety of the peacekeepers and the civilian population” declared the minister.
Video on this topic
“In wishing a speedy recovery to the four injured Italian soldiers, I would also like to express my total disappointment and my firm condemnation for yet another serious and unacceptable missile launch against the UNIFIL headquarters in southern Lebanon. Finally, our gratitude goes to all our women and men in uniform, engaged under the aegis of the UN in a very delicate area of the Middle East”, commented Ignazio La Russa, president of the Senate of the Republic.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told Sky Tg 24 about the soldiers involved: “It seems that none of these have serious injuries. They are bruises, only one lieutenant seems to have light wounds, they do not appear to be serious injuries. None of them They are in danger, their injuries are not serious. Fortunately, things happened in the right direction even if what happened is unacceptable and intolerable.”
#Unacceptable #hand #attack #Tempo
How could the Italian government’s response to these attacks influence future peacekeeping efforts in the region?
**Interview with Military Analyst Dr. Elena Rossi on Recent Attacks Against Unifil in Lebanon**
**Host:** Welcome, Dr. Rossi. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent rocket attacks on the Italian Unifil base in Lebanon.
**Dr. Rossi:** Thank you for having me. It’s a crucial topic, given the ongoing tensions in the region.
**Host:** First, could you provide us with an overview of what happened during the recent attacks?
**Dr. Rossi:** Certainly. On November 22, two rockets struck the UNP 2-3 base in Shama, which hosts the Italian contingent of Unifil. This resulted in injuries to four Italian soldiers and damaged some infrastructure within the base. It’s reported that the rockets might have come from Hezbollah, raising concerns about the ongoing security situation.
**Host:** The Italian government has reacted strongly to these attacks. What are your thoughts on their response?
**Dr. Rossi:** The response has been appropriately firm. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed deep concern and called for accountability from those responsible for the attacks. This highlights Italy’s commitment to protecting its soldiers as well as the peacekeeping mission in the region. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto’s efforts to communicate with both the UN and Lebanese authorities underscore the urgency of ensuring the safety of peacekeepers.
**Host:** What implications do these attacks have for the future of the Unifil mission in Lebanon?
**Dr. Rossi:** Such incidents threaten not only the safety of the soldiers but also the overall stability of the peacekeeping mission. Attacks like these can lead to decreased morale among troops and may prompt other nations contributing to Unifil to reconsider their involvement. It’s crucial for all parties in Lebanon to ensure the security of peacekeeping forces, as their presence is vital for maintaining some semblance of order amidst ongoing tensions.
**Host:** How might these events affect the relationship between Italy and Hezbollah?
**Dr. Rossi:** Striking UN forces can strain any potential dialog. Italy has historically maintained a role as a mediator in the region, but repeated attacks may lead to a hardening of positions. It places pressure on the Italian government to reassess its strategies towards Hezbollah, potentially escalating the conflict rather than promoting peaceful resolutions.
**Host:** what steps do you think should be taken moving forward to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers?
**Dr. Rossi:** It’s essential for the UN to engage all stakeholders in Lebanon, encouraging dialog and accountability. Increased security measures for peacekeepers, alongside diplomatic efforts to address the root causes of conflict, are necessary. Additionally, international support is crucial to bolster the mission and ensure that peacekeepers can operate without fear of attack.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Rossi, for your insights on this pressing issue. We hope for the swift recovery of the injured soldiers and a resolution to these conflicts.
**Dr. Rossi:** Thank you for having me. I share that hope and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
