Italy’s UNIFIL peacekeepers will remain along the Israel-Lebanon border despite escalating violence following Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s killing. Evacuation plans are in place, while Italian officials push for diplomacy and have received Israeli assurances regarding the safety of Italian troops
Italian troops remain. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers, including around 1,000 Italian soldiers, will remain stationed along the Blue Line, the buffer zone on the Israel-Lebanon border.
- This was confirmed by Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. Southern Lebanon is currently in turmoil following the Israeli offensive and the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Friday.
- The troops are prepared to evacuate if the situation deteriorates, with an evacuation plan ready to be activated.
Risk of involvement. Minister Crosetto noted that the peacekeepers are not the primary targets of the attacks.
- However, the rising intensity of the clashes increases the risk of accidental involvement.
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- According to a report by Il Messaggero, an Israeli rocket landed about five hundred metres from the entrance of the UN base in Mansouri last Monday, where Italbatt, the maneuvering component of the Italian contingent in Lebanon as part of the UNIFIL mission, is stationed, causing “minor damages”.
- Minister Crosetto added that, for now, the presence of Italian soldiers provides a stabilising factor, with hopes that it might encourage the warring parties to de-escalate, reopening channels of dialogue and mediation.
- The Ministry of Defence, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has made necessary arrangements for the potential evacuation of Italian civilians currently in Lebanon.
- Evacuation plans are also in place for military personnel, who have increasingly been forced to seek shelter in bunkers due to the growing risks.
- Aircraft and ships patrolling the Eastern Mediterranean have been put on standby.
Assurances from Israel. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reported that he had spoken with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz to ensure the safety of Italian soldiers stationed in the area of conflict between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.
- “I have been given assurances that there will be no attacks on the areas where our soldiers are located. So far, this commitment has been upheld,” he said.
- In a statement released on Saturday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reaffirmed Italy’s position, stressing the importance of diplomatic efforts to reopen dialogue between the conflicting parties.
