He was speaking after Israel struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon overnight following a deadly rocket attack on the Druze-Israeli town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights.
“I have been asking the United Nations leadership for months to reflect on the results achieved by the mission and on the need to change the rules of engagement and redefine a strategy,” Crosetto said.
“Time has now run out and we are faced with a new emergency that does not allow time to be wasted.
“The entire international community must implement Security Council Resolution 1701.
“It is the only way to prevent a devastating war also in Lebanon,” Crosetto continued.
“The resolution envisages a strip between the Blue Line and the Litani River, where there aren’t any weapons other than those of UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces.
“This has not been the case in recent years.
“Now we can no longer pretend nothing has happened,” added the minister, expressing concern “for the safety of Italian and international personnel involved in the UNIFIL mission”.
ANSA
