Photo: ukrinform.
The Italian Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday that the Hezbollah group was responsible for the attack on the base of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. The incident caused a mixed reaction, as initially the accusations were directed at Israeli forces, Time Ukraine Israel portal reports, citing Barrons.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crozetto, speaking in Brussels, reported that the UNIFIL base in Hamaa had been shelled. However, it later turned out that his words were based on incomplete information. Sources from the Ministry of Defence clarified that Hezbollah was responsible for the attack.
“Hezbollah is involved in this attack,” a ministry spokesman confirmed to AFP.
Details of the attack
Eight rockets were fired at the UNIFIL base where Italian peacekeepers are stationed. Fortunately, the attacks were aimed at areas where no soldiers were present, and no serious injuries were caused.
UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping mission, has been operating in southern Lebanon since 1978. Its task is to monitor the Blue Line demarcation between Lebanon and Israel. Currently, more than 9,300 troops from around the world are involved in the mission, including about 1,000 from Italy.
Rising tensions
The incident took place against the backdrop of rising tensions in the region as Israel intensified its operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Italian Ministry of Defence noted that this is not the first time that the UNIFIL mission has been targeted. The Italian side stresses the need for additional measures to ensure the safety of its military and peacekeepers in general.
The UNIFIL mission has repeatedly complained about the intensification of hostilities, which makes it difficult to carry out its tasks. Italy, as one of the largest European contributors to the mission, remains a key player in efforts to stabilise the situation in the region.
