Rome blames Hezbollah for attack on 4 Italian peacekeepers

Four Italian soldiers sustained minor injuries in a rocket attack on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, the Italian government said on Friday. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani suggested initial evidence pointed to Hezbollah as the perpetrator.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed “deep indignation and concern” over the attack on the Italian contingent of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon.

“These attacks are unacceptable,” she said in a statement, urging all parties on the ground to ensure the safety of UNIFIL personnel and cooperate to swiftly identify those responsible.

While Meloni did not directly assign blame, Foreign Minister Tajani told reporters in Turin that Hezbollah was likely responsible.

“Preliminary information indicates that two missiles, believed to have been launched by Hezbollah, were involved,” he said.

A foreign ministry spokesman stated that the Italians would await the findings of an official UNIFIL investigation.

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto confirmed that “four Italian soldiers were slightly injured after two 122mm rockets struck the UNP 2-3 base in Shama, southern Lebanon.”

The rockets reportedly hit a bunker, and the soldiers were injured by shards of glass from shattered windows, Crosetto explained, denouncing the attack as “intolerable.”

In a separate statement, Crosetto revealed he had contacted his Lebanese counterpart to reiterate that the Italian UNIFIL contingent remains committed to fostering peace in the region and should not be targeted by militia attacks.

“I will also attempt to speak with Israel’s new Minister of Defence—though it has been challenging to establish communication since he assumed office—to urge against using UNIFIL bases as shields,” Crosetto added.

He further condemned the presence of armed groups in southern Lebanon, accusing them of jeopardising the safety of UN peacekeepers and civilians alike.

UNIFIL, established in 1978 to monitor the “Blue Line” separating Lebanon and Israel, has over 9,300 troops who have faced repeated threats during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

AFP