Italy’s premier to visit Lebanon amid risk of escalation in Middle East

By Nur Asena Erturk

Italy’s prime minister will visit Lebanon, where Israel continues its air and ground attacks, as fears are growing that continued escalation could lead to an all-out war in the Middle East.

Giorgia Meloni addressed the Senate on Tuesday, telling lawmakers that she planned to visit Lebanon, without giving details about the timing of the visit, state news agency ANSA reported.

She also announced that Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani was preparing to go to Israel and Palestine next week.

Meloni described Israel’s attitude as "unjustifiable," and the attacks on UN peacekeeping officers as "unacceptable."

Israel has injured UNIFIL members in separate recent attacks, drawing international criticism as deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are against international law.

UNIFIL was established in March 1978 to confirm Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon and assist the Lebanese government in restoring authority in the area. Its mandate has been expanded over the years, particularly after the 2006 Israeli war, to monitor cease-fires and facilitate humanitarian aid.

Israel launched a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip following a Hamas attack last year, killing more than 42,000 people, mostly women and children.

The conflict spread to Lebanon, with Israel launching deadly strikes across the country late last month, which have killed more than 1,500 people and displaced over a million. On Oct. 1 Israel launched a ground invasion into southern Lebanon.