Italy has reacted sharply after Israeli forces fired on a vehicle of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL, where Italian soldiers also serve.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto asked the United Nations to immediately intervene with the Israeli authorities to clarify the incident and guarantee the safety of the Italian contingent and all UNIFIL personnel.
"I have asked the UN to intervene urgently to clarify what happened and to take all necessary measures for the safety of Italian soldiers and UNIFIL personnel. Italy will continue to support the peacekeeping mission, but demands full respect for its role and the protection of the 'blue helmets'. Such episodes are unacceptable and must not be repeated," Crosetto wrote on the social network X.
Meanwhile, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that he has ordered the Israeli ambassador to be summoned to the Foreign Ministry to seek clarification on the incident.
"I have instructed that the Israeli ambassador be summoned to the Foreign Ministry to clarify what happened today in Lebanon. Italian soldiers are not affected," Tajani declared.
