Lebanon: Understanding the Attack on Italian Bases and Israel’s Objectives

Israeli Attacks on Italian Bases in Lebanon: A New Front in the Conflict

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has escalated dramatically, with Israel now targeting UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), where Italian soldiers have had a prominent role for years.
But why has Israel decided to attack these bases in the midst of its war against Hamas and Hezbollah?

The UNIFIL mission was established back in 1978 but was revitalized in 2006 to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon and to assist the Lebanese government in reestablishing authority and security in the region.

Italy’s Commitment in Lebanon

Currently, Italy maintains a significant presence in Lebanon, with around 1,200 soldiers deployed along the so-called Blue Line, the border with Israel.
With the recent declaration of war against Hezbollah, Israeli ground troops have launched an invasion into southern Lebanon, raising serious safety concerns for Italian troops.

In light of the unfolding situation, Italian forces have been instructed to remain within their bases for their safety.
However, Israel has repeatedly urged UNIFIL troops to relocate further north, ostensibly to facilitate its military operations against Hezbollah.

The Deteriorating Situation

Just recently, the situation deteriorated rapidly, culminating in several attacks on UNIFIL bases by Israeli forces, prompting a strong response from the Italian government.
On October 10, an Israeli tank reportedly fired on an observation post at a UNIFIL base in Naqura, followed by attacks on the central base and another one nearby in Labbouneh, resulting in injuries to two Indonesian UNIFIL soldiers.

International Reactions

Two of the attacked bases were Italian-operated, leading to a quick reaction from the Italian government.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto summoned the Israeli ambassador, while Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denounced the attacks as “unacceptable.” Despite strong condemnations from the UN, Italy, France—a country that also has troops in Lebanon—and the European Union, fresh hostilities erupted with more Israeli attacks, injuring two Sri Lankan soldiers, one of whom was severely wounded.

Israel’s Justification for Targeting UNIFIL Bases

Amid global uproar over these provocations, the Israeli ambassador to Rome attempted to justify the attacks, claiming that Israel had repeatedly advised Italian troops to withdraw from the area for safety reasons.
The ambassador noted that Hezbollah was allegedly using the proximity of UNIFIL bases to conceal its activities, including weapon storage and tunnel networks.

This rationale echoes similar justifications used by Israel in its operations in Gaza, where the presence of civilians near military targets has been cited as a reason for extensive bombardments.
Israeli Defense Forces have reiterated that their operations are meant to target Hezbollah and that they strive to avoid civilian casualties, including members of UNIFIL.

Conclusion: An Uncertain Future

Many analysts suggest that Israel’s strategy may be aimed at prompting a withdrawal of UN troops from Lebanon, thereby allowing unrestricted military actions against Hezbollah.
As tensions escalate, the future of international peacekeeping efforts in the region remains uncertain, with the safety of both Lebanese civilians and foreign soldiers hanging in the balance.