Italy expects apology from Israel over 'unacceptable' shelling of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Italy expects an apology from Israel over its “unacceptable,” shelling of the UN peacekeeping troops in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL), Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Friday.

“What happened to some UNIFIL positions in southern Lebanon is unacceptable. It is unacceptable if it was by mistake or even worse if it was intentionally,” Tajani said in an interview with Italian daily Corriere Della Sera.

The UN peacekeeping force said its headquarters in Naqoura was hit by explosions for the second time in 48 hours, a day after Israeli forces struck the same position.

Tajani said he called his Israeli counterpart Israel Katz three times in the last few days and President Isaac Herzog twice to tell them that Israel must respect agreements and international law while exercising its right to self-defense.

They always responded to me that they fully understood our messages, and that they pass our concerns to those operating on the ground, he added.

Asked about Defense Minister Guido Crosetto’s harsh reaction, which included summoning of the Israeli ambassador in Rome, Tajani said it was not formal summoning but rather conveying Italy’s disappointment with the incident.

Israel continues its air and ground attacks into Lebanon, while also conducting strikes in Gaza.