4 Italian Peacekeepers Injured In Rocket Attack On UNIFIL Base In Lebanon

ROME, Nov 23 (Bernama-ANSA) -- Four Italian soldiers were injured, none seriously, after a UNIFIL base in Lebanon was struck by rocket fire on Friday. 

The Shama base was hit by two rockets, likely launched by Hezbollah, one of which struck the exterior of the bunker, though its structure did not collapse, Italian news agency ANSA reported.

The men are not in a life-threatening condition, local sources said. Some of the soldiers were hit by glass and stone fragments and were slightly injured.

Traces of at least one 122-millimetre rocket were discovered at the site.

Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday expressed "deep indignation" following the latest attack on an Italian UNIFIL base in southern Lebanon.

“I learned with deep indignation and concern the news of the new attacks suffered by the Italian headquarters of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon, which also caused the wounding of some of our soldiers engaged in a peacekeeping mission,” she said.

“I would like to express my solidarity and closeness and that of the Government to the injured, to their families and sincere gratitude for the activity carried out daily by the entire Italian contingent in Lebanon.

“I reiterate once again that such attacks are unacceptable and I renew my appeal for the parties on the ground to guarantee, at all times, the safety of UNIFIL soldiers and to collaborate to quickly identify those responsible”.

Meanwhile, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said on Friday that Italy's UNIFIL contingent will remain in Lebanon but cannot be held hostage by Lebanese militias, ANSA reported.

Crosetto also said UNIFIL bases must not be used as shields.

“I immediately contacted the commander of the contingent, Stefano Messina, to check on the conditions of the four soldiers, which are not causing concern,” said Crosetto.

“I also contacted my Lebanese counterpart, reiterating that the Italian contingent of UNIFIL remains in southern Lebanon to offer a window of opportunity for peace and cannot become hostage to attacks by the militias”.

“It is intolerable that once again a UNIFIL base has been hit.

“I will try to speak with the new Israeli Defence Minister, which has been impossible since he took office, to ask him to avoid using UNIFIL bases as a shield,” said Crosetto.

Meanwhile, ANSA reported that four soldiers from the Sassari Brigade, all Sardinians, who were slightly injured in a Hezbollah rocket attack on an Italian UNIFIL base in Lebanon on Friday, are in good condition.

The 'Sassarini' are not in hospital and have already spoken to their families to reassure them that they are fine.

--BERNAMA-ANSA