Italy accuses Israeli forces of firing at UN convoy vehicle in Lebanon

Israeli forces fired warning shots at a convoy of Italian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon on Wednesday, damaging at least one vehicle but causing no injuries, the Italian government says.

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto says the incident was “unacceptable,” while Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani says the government was seeking clarification from the Israeli ambassador.

“To reiterate, Italian soldiers in Lebanon are not to be touched,” Tajani tells parliament.

An Italian convoy from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was carrying personnel from the town of Shama to Beirut when it was targeted by warning shots fired by the Israeli Defense Forces, Crosetto says in a statement.

The convoy immediately stopped and returned to base.

Speaking to parliament earlier, Tajani says only one vehicle had been damaged, but Crosetto speaks of “minor damage to the vehicles.”

“It is unacceptable that Italian soldiers deployed under the UN flag, tasked exclusively with guaranteeing peace and stability, should be exposed to risky situations by the Israeli army,” Crosetto adds.

There is no immediate comment from the IDF.

Italy currently has 754 troops in UNIFIL, the second-largest contingent after Indonesia’s 755, according to UN figures published March 30.