Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced her plans to visit Lebanon, which is under heavy Israeli bombardment. Prime Minister Meloni demanded security guarantees for her country’s troops after UN Peacekeeping Force soldiers came under fire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Italy has over a thousand troops in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that she will visit Lebanon, where Italian troops are part of the United Nations mission. Meloni mentioned in a speech at the Senate that the visit to Lebanon was already planned, without providing a specific date. Italy contributes over a thousand troops to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission. Meloni also added that Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani is scheduled to visit Israel and Palestinian territories next week.

ISRAELI ARMY ATTACKS UNIFIL POSITIONS After Israel’s occupation of Lebanon in 1978, the United Nations mission UNIFIL, which consists of about 9,500 troops from various nations, accuses the Israeli army of intentionally firing at its positions. Meloni, whose country is the second-largest contributor to the UNIFIL Peacekeeping Force, has condemned the attacks multiple times. In a statement from her office, it was mentioned that during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, she reiterated that it was unacceptable for the Israeli army to attack UNIFIL.

“ISRAEL’S ATTITUDE IS COMPLETELY UNFAIR” Meloni emphasized that Israel’s actions are “completely unfair,” stating, “For the first time in a year of military operations by Israel, the positions of Italian troops serving in the United Nations’ UNIFIL mission were hit by the Israeli army. Despite no casualties or significant damage, I believe this is unacceptable.” Meloni demanded the safety of the troops, stating, “We believe that Israel’s actions are entirely unjust and constitute a clear violation of the United Nations Security Council’s decision.”