Italian PM Calls Netanyauhu, Israel's Strong Protests Attack UNIFIL In Lebanon

UNIFIL In Lebanon/DOK UN

JAKARTA - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned Israel's military offensive against a UN peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon, including an attack on a base where about 1,100 Italian soldiers were stationed.

Meloni called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, October 13 to protest the attack.

Meloni reiterated that Israel's attack on UNIFIL was unacceptable because the mission was working under the UN Security Council's mandate to help regional stability.

The Italian PM stressed that the safety of UNIFIL personnel must be guaranteed at any time.

Meloni renewed Italy's commitment in this regard, expressing confidence that the full implementation of Resolution 1701 could contribute to the stabilization of the Israel-Lebanon border and ensuring that all refugees can return to their homes, Meloni's office said.

Meloni also highlighted what he called an "urgent need" for deescalation in the region.

The Italian PM's statement came after Italian Defense Ministerdo Crosetto summoned Israel's ambassador in Rome to file an official complaint last Thursday, calling the attack on the UNIFIL base a "war crime."

UNIFIL said five of its 10,000 peacekeepers had been injured since Israel began bombing southern Lebanon and 15 people suffered from disruption from smoke in Sunday's incident.

Despite wearing protective masks, fifteen peacekeepers suffered an impact, including skin irritation and digestive reactions, after smoke entered the camp, UNIFIL said.

Israel accuses Hezbollah of operating in an area near UNIFIL's post.