Italy Confirms Hezbollah, Not Israel, Behind Attack on UN Base

In a significant revelation, Italy’s defense ministry has admitted that Hezbollah was responsible for a rocket attack on a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) base, an incident initially blamed on Israel. The announcement follows an IDF investigation into the incident, which occurred last week and targeted a UNIFIL base near the Israeli-Lebanese border.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto had originally suggested that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were behind the attack. However, further assessments confirmed that the rocket was launched from Deir Aames, an area under Hezbollah’s control in Southern Lebanon. The IDF's findings were corroborated by UNIFIL, which stated that the attack was “fired most likely by non-state actors within Lebanon.”

The shelling targeted multiple UNIFIL bases, including those in Ramyeh and Chamaa. Fortunately, no peacekeepers were injured in the strikes, as the affected areas were unoccupied at the time.

This staged attack comes amidst heightened tensions in the region. Hezbollah has intensified its rocket and missile barrages at Israel, part of its broader involvement in the ongoing conflict. On Tuesday, UNIFIL confirmed that several of its bases were hit by rocket fire originating from Hezbollah strongholds.

The incident underscores the terror group’s exploitation of civilian and international entities to sow discord and shift blame onto Israel. Such tactics aim to escalate tensions while complicating international efforts to address the conflict.

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar assured his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, of an “immediate investigation” when the attack was first reported. The IDF's swift review not only exonerated Israel but also reinforced its ongoing claims about Hezbollah’s destabilizing role in the region.

UNIFIL’s acknowledgment of Hezbollah’s culpability highlights the persistent challenges faced by peacekeeping forces operating in Lebanon, where terror groups operate freely under the guise of “non-state actors.”

This incident further highlights Hezbollah’s strategy of provocation and misinformation. By attempting to implicate Israel in attacks on neutral entities, Hezbollah seeks to undermine Israel's international standing and divert attention from its own actions.

The IDF remains committed to countering such threats while working with allies to expose the tactics employed by Hezbollah and other terror organizations. Stay informed by subscribing to our newsletter for the latest updates on Israel's defense and diplomatic efforts.