A complex and delicate situation which, however, Unifil tries to monitor to contribute to de escalation. «In the last few hours we have observed military activities, including rocket launches from Lebanese territory towards Israel and Israeli air strikes, which represent violations of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701»explains immediately, via video link, the division general Diodato Abagnarahead of mission and commander of the Unifil Force in Lebanon.
What’s happening?
«There is a very fragile situation on the ground. We are trying to avoid a major escalation. Our mandate includes, first and foremost, reporting any violation of UN resolution 1701. Very clearly we are doing precisely this: we report every attack originating from Lebanon towards Israel and every attack by Israel towards Lebanon. Alongside this, our objective is to prevent any type of accidentto contribute to ensuring that this escalation is contained and that we can return to a sort of stability as soon as possible.”
How?
«Through our liaison and coordination mechanisms we maintain open communication channels between parties and we constantly work to prevent accidents along the blue line. The very presence of peacekeepers on the ground represents an important factor of stability and contributes to prevent local tensions from turning into a broader crisis. I also remember that the Italian contingent has the largest number of peacekeepers on the ground. We are managing to work as best we can both for the trust of the local population and for the support we have from the Italian Government, from the Minister of Defense, from the Chief of Defense Staff, with whom I speak every day, and from the commander of the Joint Forces Summit Command. It is only the collective effort that allows us to have excellent results on the ground.”
Have violations increased after the attack in Iran?
“Yes. There was an escalation. The number of violations has increased significantly. We have reported Lebanese drone and missile launches, particularly Hezbollah, and Israeli air strikes and ground activity. At this moment our presence is crucial for avoid an even more dangerous escalation. Furthermore, we are able to allow the various humanitarian agencies to be able to intervene to support the population who have been suffering for some time with Covid, the economic crisis, the explosion at the port of Beirut, the continuous wars. It’s exhausting. In this regard I would also like to mention the help that comes to us from the nunciature. Monsignor Paolo Borgia is very close to us and to the population. The Nuncio is always present, asks for updates and tries to support not only the Christian communities, but all the communities in the south.”
Israel has said it wants to create a buffer zone in Lebanon.
«Yes, they would like to create a sort of strip, along the Blue Line, which avoids any type of threat towards the citizens who currently live in the Kibbutzim close to this line in the north of Israel. From the Lebanese point of view, however, there is the intention of being able to guarantee a return home to those who have left their homes for some time now. The Unifil force is the only tool capable of balancing these two requests, trying to avoid a conflict that would continue over time. A conflict not between states, but between Israel on the one hand and the presence of Hezbollah on the other.”
How to react to the Israeli request to evacuate 13 Lebanese villages in the south of the country?
«Unifil does not have the mandate nor the authority to order or manage evacuations of the civilian population. However We monitor closely any developments that may impact civilians and we continue to reiterate to all parties the need to fully respect resolution 1701 and avoid any action that could further aggravate the situation. In moments like these, the priority must be the protection of the civilian population and the search for every possible way of de-escalation.”
What is Unifil’s support to the population?
«Unifil has always maintained a very close relationship with the communities of southern Lebanon. Even in this difficult phase, our peacekeepers continue to be present in the area, maintaining constant dialogue with the local authorities and the population. Where possible, we facilitate humanitarian activities and support initiatives that can contribute to the protection of civilians. Our presence is not only operational, but also represents an element of reassurance for many local communities who have lived with the mission for years and know its stabilizing role.”
What is the situation in Beirut?
«In Beirut the situation is carefully monitored by the Lebanese authorities and the international community. As regards Unifil, we have adopted some precautionary measures for civilian personnel, as is normal when the regional context becomes more volatile. At the same time, the mission maintains full operational capacity in southern Lebanon, where our mandate is concentrated and where peacekeepers continue to carry out their daily work alongside the Lebanese Armed Forces.”
Is the Italian contingent safe?
«I have personally adopted all types of security measures because the protection of our soldiers is absolutely one of my priorities. We maintain maximum security on the ground and within the bases which allows us to have a guarantee of safety such as self protection, but at the same time to carry out our work”.
