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 against 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.
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“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.”
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How might these attacks impact Italy’s future involvement in UN peacekeeping missions?
**Interview with Defense Analyst Dr. Lucia Rossi on Recent Attacks Against Italian UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Rossi. We have just heard about the recent attack on the Italian UN peacekeeping base in Lebanon, which resulted in injuries to four soldiers. What are your initial thoughts on this incident?
**Dr. Rossi:** Thank you for having me. This attack is deeply concerning and highlights the ongoing instability in southern Lebanon. The use of rockets in this incident, reportedly fired by a group like Hezbollah, indicates a troubling escalation in hostilities against UN peacekeepers, who are there to maintain peace and security in the region.
**Interviewer:** The reactions from Italian officials, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, have been quite strong. How significant is their response in this context?
**Dr. Rossi:** The responses from high-ranking officials signal a serious commitment to the safety of Italian forces abroad. Prime Minister Meloni’s condemnation of the attacks emphasizes that such violence is unacceptable while reiterating support for peacekeeping missions. Minister Crosetto’s dialog with the Lebanese authorities and calling for action against militia abuses is crucial to ensure that peacekeepers are not used as shields by armed groups.
**Interviewer:** What implications do you think this attack might have for the future of the Unifil mission in Lebanon?
**Dr. Rossi:** This incident could have significant implications. If attacks against peacekeepers continue, it may lead to calls for a reevaluation of troop deployments and mission mandates. Unifil has faced scrutiny in the past regarding its effectiveness, and ongoing violence could push some nations to reconsider their participation in the operation, potentially destabilizing the region further.
**Interviewer:** It has also been mentioned that the security of the broader civilian population in southern Lebanon is at risk. Can you elaborate on that?
**Dr. Rossi:** Absolutely. The presence of armed groups like Hezbollah and the continual violence pose threats not only to peacekeepers but also to civilians who live in these areas. Such hostilities can exacerbate humanitarian issues and create an environment of fear and instability for the local population, undermining any efforts towards peace and reconstruction.
**Interviewer:** what steps do you think should be taken moving forward by both international and local stakeholders?
**Dr. Rossi:** A multifaceted approach is needed. International stakeholders must keep diplomatic pressure on all parties to respect peacekeeping operations. Concurrently, local stakeholders should work towards a dialog that emphasizes disarmament and the protection of civilians’ rights. Most importantly, there should be an investigation into these attacks to hold those responsible accountable, and efforts must be made to ensure the safety of peacekeepers so they can continue their crucial work.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Rossi, for your insights on this pressing issue.
**Dr. Rossi:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital that we continue to discuss and address these challenges in order to foster peace and security in the region.