The Prime Minister spoke on the phone with her Israeli counterpart, Netanyahu. She reaffirmed Rome’s commitment to fully implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which she asserted could help stabilise the border. Additionally, she emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety of the blue helmets
Meloni condemns attacks. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called her Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, describing recent incidents involving the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping mission as “unacceptable” attacks.
- PM Meloni reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to UNIFIL, stating that Rome is dedicated to the full implementation ofUN Security Council Resolution 1701.
- She noted that this could help stabilise the Israel-Lebanon border and facilitate the return of displaced individuals to their homes.
- Additionally, she stressed that the safety of UNIFIL personnel must be guaranteed at all times.
- Italy’s diplomatic efforts to pressure Israel align with those of other EU member states, who have reiterated their support for the UN mission.
Netanyahu’s concerns. Israeli PM Netanyahu suggested that UNIFIL’s presence between the two sides has slowed the Israeli advance.
- In a message to the UN Secretary-General, he called for peacekeepers to be “protected” and “immediately removed” from the buffer zone, arguing that Hezbollah is using them as “human shields.”
- However, it is the UN Security Council, not the Secretary-General, that holds authority over the mission’s future.
- In recent days, the Israeli Defence Forces have intensified operations against Hezbollah militants in an effort topush them further north from the border.
General Portolano’s warning. Italy’s Chief of Defence, General Luciano Portolano, urged his Israeli counterpart, General Herzi Halevi, to “avoid further hostile actions.”
- According to an interview General Portolano gave to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Halevi said the attacks on peacekeepers were “the result of tactical errors.”
- Defence Minister Guido Crosetto had previously raised concerns about the need to adapt the rules of engagement in southern Lebanon.
- General Portolano noted that Crosetto had highlighted these concerns last year, foreseeing the current issues on the ground.
- General Portolano concluded that the protests lodged by Italy, along with other nations, “clearly show that Israeli actions near UNIFIL bases and against peacekeepers have crossed the boundaries of international conventions.”
