Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced her upcoming visit to Lebanon, scheduled for Friday, as she called for security guarantees from Israel for Italian troops stationed there. This announcement comes in the wake of recent attacks on UN peacekeeper bases, known as Unifil.
Italy has been a staunch ally of Israel since Hamas’s attacks on October 7, but it has also voiced strong criticism of assaults on UN missions and Israel's calls for the withdrawal of peacekeepers. In her address to the Italian Senate, Meloni described Israeli actions as “completely unjustified” and labeled them a “blatant violation” of a UN resolution aimed at ceasing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.
Meloni expressed her belief that withdrawing troops based solely on Israel's request would be a significant mistake that could undermine the credibility of both the UN mission and the organization itself. The UN has reported that Unifil positions have been attacked 20 times since Israel initiated its ground operation in southern Lebanon on October 1, including a recent incident where two Israeli tanks breached a Unifil base.
Italy currently has around 1,000 troops deployed in the UN mission and a separate initiative known as Mibil, which trains local armed forces, making Italy the second-largest contributor to Unifil after Indonesia.
While Israel has denied intentionally targeting UN peacekeepers, the UN Security Council expressed unanimous concern on Monday about the safety of Unifil personnel following the attacks. They urged all parties to respect the security of peacekeeping forces and their premises.
Meloni conveyed her strong stance on Israel’s actions during a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite being one of Israel's key allies in Europe, alongside Germany, she has consistently called for adherence to humanitarian laws.
Germany, France, and the UK jointly issued a statement emphasizing the importance of respecting the role of UN peacekeepers, underscoring that any deliberate attack against them is contrary to international law. They urged Israel and all involved parties to ensure the safety of Unifil personnel.
The UN mission, established in 1978, has faced various challenges, including Israeli invasions in 1982 and 2006. Meloni's visit may seek to address the ongoing tension between Israeli military operations and UN peacekeeping efforts, as Netanyahu has requested that UN forces withdraw from areas dominated by Hezbollah.
Concerns persist about the future of the UN mission, particularly regarding Israel's accusations that UN forces are acting as hostages to Hezbollah, jeopardizing their safety. The mission's rules of engagement prevent international troops from seizing weapons or searching private property, limiting their ability to intervene against Hezbollah.
The UN has noted an increase in restrictions on troop movement, with seven peacekeepers injured recently. Since the mission's inception, Unifil has lost 337 personnel, making Lebanon the deadliest peacekeeping operation for the UN.
As tensions rise, the UN special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, voiced concern over the ongoing violence in the region, warning that the cycle of conflict may continue to affect future generations. The strained relationship between Israel and the UN is a reflection of broader issues, including Israel's historical resistance to UN resolutions regarding Palestinian statehood and claims of antisemitism within the organization.
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