'It is unacceptable': Italian PM Meloni tells Netanyahu after attack on UN peacekeepers

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has told her Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu that attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon are unacceptable, her office said on Sunday.

"Prime Minister Meloni reiterated the unacceptability of UNIFIL being attacked by Israeli armed forces," the Italian government said in a statement.

Italy is a significant contributor to the UN mission known as UNIFIL.

In a phone conversation with Netanyahu, Meloni also called for the "full implementation" of the UN's Security Council Resolution 1701 on Lebanon and stressed the urgent need for a de-escalation of conflict in the region, her office said.

''As you know, the headquarters of the UNIFIL mission and two Italian bases have been hit by gunfire shots fired by the Israeli forces, and therefore I cannot, even as Italy, not to condemn again what has happened," Meloni said. 

Watch | International Anger Mounts Over IDF Firing At UN Peacekeepers

"It is unacceptable, it violates what was established by resolution 1701 of the United Nations. The Italian government, as you know, has strongly protested with the Israeli authorities. On this issue, together with Emmanuel (Macron) and Pedro (Sanchez), so France and Spain, we have also decided to make a common declaration.," she added. 

Two UN peacekeepers were injured on Friday by an Israeli strike near their watchtower in south Lebanon, the Israeli military said, while blasts shook the peacekeepers' main base in the area for the second time in 48 hours as Israeli forces battled Hezbollah.

Also read | Israel vs UN: Netanyahu tells Guterres to withdraw peacekeepers from south Lebanon

Previously, Italy's defence minister had slammed Israel for the shooting by calling it "intolerable". The minister, Guido Crosetto said he "protested" to Israel's defence minister and summoned the Israeli ambassador over the incident.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.