"An Italian UNIFIL convoy carrying personnel to Beirut for repatriation was blocked by the IDF. Israeli warning shots damaged one of our vehicles. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the convoy had to return." This was reported by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani , after a Lince truck in service with the Italian military—apparently from the Sassari Brigade —was hit by bullets in the tires and bumper, fired as a warning by Israeli soldiers.

The incident sparked immediate reactions. Tajani announced that he would summon the Israeli ambassador to the Farnesina "to request information on the incident and reiterate that Italian soldiers in Lebanon should not be touched . The Israeli armed forces have no authority to touch Italian soldiers."

"A logistics convoy of the Italian contingent, moving from Shama to Beirut, was targeted by warning shots fired by the IDF approximately two kilometers from its departure base. Following the incident, the convoy immediately halted its movement and returned to base," Defense Minister Guido Crosetto reconstructed the incident. He added: "I call on the United Nations to intervene with the Israeli authorities as a matter of urgency to clarify the incident , adopt all necessary measures to guarantee the safety of the Italian contingent and all UNIFIL personnel, and firmly reaffirm respect for the mandate and the protection due to the UN peacekeepers." "Italy," Crosetto concluded, "will continue to support the peacekeeping mission, but demands full respect for UNIFIL's role and the protection of its soldiers. Incidents like this are intolerable and must not be repeated."

(Unioneonline)

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