Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently visited Beirut and called for the strengthening of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL, which has been under attack by Israeli forces. Meloni emphasized the importance of maintaining UNIFIL’s impartiality and ensuring the safety of its soldiers. She also urged all parties to prioritize diplomacy over violence.
UNIFIL has been targeted by Israeli forces multiple times, leading to injuries of peacekeepers and recent incidents of Israeli troops breaking into their positions. Despite these challenges, UNIFIL has decided to hold its positions and continue monitoring the conflict to ensure aid reaches civilians. The deteriorating security situation has forced UNIFIL to suspend most, but not all, of its patrols near the Lebanon-Israel border.
In response to the ongoing conflict, Hezbollah stated that it is entering a new phase in its fight against Israeli soldiers, using new weapons such as precision-guided missiles and explosive drones. Hezbollah has targeted Israeli troops in southern Lebanon and launched an attack with attack drones in the northern Israeli city of Safed. In solidarity with Palestinians, Hezbollah has pledged continued support following the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israeli forces has escalated, resulting in casualties and displacements in Lebanon. The Israeli army has called up additional reserve forces for operational missions in northern Israel, indicating a potential continuation of the conflict. Meloni’s visit to Lebanon highlights the urgent need for a diplomatic solution and the protection of UNIFIL’s peacekeepers amid rising tensions in the region.
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