Italy formally complained to Israel
on Thursday after the headquarters of the UNIFIL mission in
Lebanon and two Italian bases came under attack, with Defence
Minister Guido Crosetto summoning the Israeli ambassador.
Two Indonesian peacekeepers were wounded by IDF tank fire on an
observation turret but none of the some 1,000 Italian soldiers
enaged in the UN mission were injured, an UNIFIL spokesman told
ANSA.
"The Italian government has formally protested to the Israeli
authorities and firmly reiterated that what is happening around
the UNIFIL contingent base is not acceptable," Premier Giorgia
Meloni's office said in a statement on a telephone conversation
she had with the commander of the Western Sector of the UNIFIL
mission, General Messina.
"For this reason, the government, through the Minister of
Defence, summoned the Israeli Ambassador to Italy.
"Premier Meloni, who is carefully following developments, in
constant contact with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio
Tajani, and of Defence, Guido Crosetto, expressed her personal
and the 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".
Crosetto also blasted the attack.
"These incidents are intolerable and must be carefully,
decisively avoided," Crosetto.said.
"For this reason I protested to my Israeli counterpart and to
the Israeli ambassador to Italy.
"This morning I sent a formal communication to the United
Nations to reiterate the unacceptability of what is happening in
Southern Lebanon and to ensure Italy's full, constructive
collaboration in all military initiatives aimed at promoting a
de-escalation of the situation and the restoration of
international law.
"The safety of the Italian soldiers deployed in Lebanon remains
an absolute priority for me and for the entire Italian
government, so that the Italian peacekeepers continue their work
of mediation and support for peace and stability in Lebanon and
the entire region".
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