Four Italian soldiers sustained slight injuries after rockets hit a UNIFIL base in southern Lebanon on Friday.
Local sources confirmed that none of the Italian soldiers sustained life-threatening injuries. Two rockets struck the Shama base, likely launched by Hezbollah, with one impacting the exterior of a bunker. The bunker’s structure did not collapse.
Fragments of glass and stone caused the soldiers’ injuries. Traces of at least one 122-millimetre rocket, not used by the Israeli army, were discovered at the site.
This incident follows a recent attack on an Italian UNIFIL base, where eight Hezbollah rockets hit, causing minor injuries to five peacekeepers. And an October attack by IDF tank fire, which led to Italy formally lodging a complaint with Israel.
Premier Giorgia Meloni expressed “deep indignation” over the latest attack. “I learned 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,” she said.
“I would like to express my solidarity and closeness and that of the Government to the injured, to their families, and my sincere gratitude for the activity carried out daily by the entire Italian contingent in Lebanon. I reiterate once again 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.”
Crosetto confirms Italy’s contingent will remain in Lebanon
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto confirmed that Italy’s UNIFIL contingent would remain in Lebanon. However, he said Lebanese militias could not hold it hostage. He also stressed that UNIFIL bases must not be used as shields.
“I immediately contacted the commander of the contingent, Stefano Messina, to check on the conditions of the four soldiers, which are not causing concern,” Crosetto stated. “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 attacks by the militias.”
Crosetto described the attacks as “intolerable.” He added, “I will try to speak with the new Israeli Defence Minister, which has been impossible since he took office, to ask him to avoid using UNIFIL bases as a shield. Even more intolerable is the presence of terrorists in South Lebanon who are endangering the safety of the UN peacekeepers and the civilian population.”
