“Israel behaves with UNIFIL in Lebanon as it behaved with UNRWA in Gaza”

Published on October 11, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. / Modified on October 11, 2024 at 7:02 p.m.

Engaged in operations against Hezbollah, Israeli armed forces opened fire this week on several bases of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). At least four peacekeepers were injured Thursday and Friday, according to the international mission. Its headquarters, in Naqoura, in the south of the country on the Mediterranean coast, was “shaken by explosions,” she said in a press release Friday afternoon. The walls of a base fell under Israeli tank fire. Two other bases led by Italian contingents were also hit, provoking a harsh reaction from Italy. But the words of his Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, on Thursday, condemning “possible war crimes”, and Rome’s summons of the Israeli ambassador, did not help calm the situation.

The next day, it was Paris’ turn to summon the Israeli representative in France. The dozens of countries participating in the mission were still waiting for explanations. “These violations are not justified by any military necessity,” said the Italian minister. And the fact that the Israeli armed forces notified UNIFIL and asked to evacuate is not a justification. The United Nations and Italy cannot take orders from Israel.” The foreign soldiers “were injured inadvertently,” the Israeli army responded Friday, quoted by the Italian press. We are taking every precaution to minimize harm to civilians and peacekeepers.” But for Rome, it is “neither errors nor incidents”. The peninsula is therefore still awaiting “formal, real explanations and as quickly as possible”.

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