Hezbollah Accused in Rocket Attack on Italian UN Peacekeepers

The United Nations and Italy announced that Hezbollah is likely responsible for a rocket attack that injured four Italian peacekeepers stationed in southern Lebanon. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stated that Hezbollah or a related group is likely behind the attack, which caused significant damage to the infrastructure of the peacekeepers' location. Antonio Tajani, Italy's Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, said on Friday that it appears four UN peacekeepers were injured by two rockets fired by Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Giorgia Meloni, Italy's Prime Minister, expressed 'deep anger and concern' over the new attacks on the UNIFIL base, calling them 'unacceptable' and urging 'all parties' to ensure the safety of UNIFIL peacekeepers under all circumstances and to quickly identify the perpetrators of such attacks. Unlike Tajani, Meloni did not specifically name Hezbollah as a possible perpetrator. In this context, a spokesperson for the Italian Foreign Ministry stated that Italians are awaiting UNIFIL's investigation into the matter. The Italian Defense Minister also mentioned that the rockets hit the shelter of the Italian soldiers, and the breaking of the shelter's windows caused their injuries. Earlier, Reuters reported, citing two government sources, that four Italian soldiers were injured in an attack on the UN peacekeepers' base in the village of 'Shama' in southern Lebanon. According to one of the sources, the injuries sustained by the four soldiers are minor, their lives are not in danger, and investigations into the incident are ongoing. The Security Council condemned the attacks on UNIFIL peacekeeping forces in Lebanon. UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon: The rocket fire at the UNIFIL base in Naqoura is likely the work of Hezbollah. The European Union: 'UNIFIL' forces will not leave southern Lebanon. Netanyahu's renewed request to UNIFIL: Leave the war zone. Italy: Israeli attacks on peacekeepers are unacceptable.