Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called on Tuesday for guarantees for the safety of Italian forces deployed in Lebanon as part of the UNIFIL peacekeeping force.
“We believe that the attitude of the Israeli forces is completely unjustified,” Meloni said, describing it as a “blatant violation,” Meloni told the Senate ahead of a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels.
It considered it a flagrant violation of the UN resolution on ending hostilities between the Lebanese Hezbollah group and Israel, according to Reuters.
Benjamin Netanyahu had called on the United Nations to remove UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon from “danger immediately,” referring to their location on the border between Israel and Lebanon.
According to The Times of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu Said to the United Nations to remove UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon “Mr. Secretary General, get the UNIFIL forces out of harm’s way. It should be done right now, immediately,”
But the UN forces refused to withdraw from their positions accused the Israeli forces of crossing the Blue Line, and considered that its presence endangered the peacekeeping soldiers.
UNIFIL is a United Nations force established in 1978 to monitor the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, enhance security and stability in the border area, and support the Lebanese government in extending its authority.
Its primary mission is also to implement Resolution 1701 issued after the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
At least 40 countries expressed their full support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Saturday, calling for the protection of its personnel, five of whom were injured within 48 hours.
“Such actions must stop immediately and should be adequately investigated,” said the joint statement, posted on X by the Polish UN mission and signed by nations including leading contributors Indonesia, Italy, and India.
We strongly condemn the recent attacks against peacekeepers. Such acts must stop immediately and be properly investigated, the UNIFIL contributing countries said in a message posted on the Polish mission’s account to the United Nations.
UNIFIL forces are deployed between the Litani River and the Lebanese-Israeli border, and their headquarters are located in Ras al-Naqoura on the border.
The largest contingents are made up of troops from Indonesia, India, Ghana, Italy, and Nepal. Malaysia, Spain, Ireland, and France also contribute troops.
