ROME – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed strong disapproval to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, calling them unacceptable, her office said on Sunday.
During a phone conversation, Meloni stressed the unacceptability of Israeli armed forces attacking the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), a peacekeeping mission in which Italy plays a significant role.
“Prime Minister Meloni reiterated the unacceptability of UNIFIL being attacked by Israeli armed forces,” the Italian government said in a statement.
Meloni also urged for the “full implementation” of the UN Security Council’s Resolution 1701, which aims to resolve conflict between Israel and Lebanon. She further emphasized the urgent need to de-escalate tensions in the region as violence intensifies.
The discussion comes amid growing international concern about the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, where peacekeepers have been caught in crossfire in recent days. Italy has been a major contributor to the UNIFIL mission, and the safety of peacekeepers remains a critical concern for the Italian government.