Beirut: Italian forces will continue their deployment in southern Lebanon following the conclusion of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate, as announced by Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. The decision underscores Italy's commitment to sustaining its military involvement in the region even after UNIFIL's mandate ends.
According to Anadolu Agency, Crosetto made this announcement during a meeting in Beirut with Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Menassa. He emphasized Italy's intention to maintain its presence through both multilateral and bilateral engagements, specifically highlighting participation in the Military Technical Committee for Lebanon (MCT4L) and the Italian Bilateral Military Mission in Lebanon (MIBIL). Crosetto stated that multinational support remains a crucial element in addressing crises.
A statement from the Lebanese presidency corroborated Italy's intention to keep its forces stationed in southern Lebanon post-UNIFIL. During a meeting with Italian Defense Minister Crosetto, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed his approval of Italian and European countries' involvement in future missions that may succeed UNIFIL after its mandate ends on December 31, 2026. Aoun expressed hope that friendly nations like Italy would facilitate successful negotiations, leading to positive outcomes.
UNIFIL has been active in southern Lebanon since 1978, with a significant reinforcement following the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, as stipulated by UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Italy has been a major contributor to this mission, deploying 1,099 troops as part of the 9,923-strong peacekeeping force tasked with monitoring hostilities and supporting the Lebanese army in the region.
In November 2024, Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire after over a year of cross-border hostilities linked to the Gaza conflict, which resulted in over 4,000 deaths and 17,000 injuries. Despite the truce, Israeli forces have yet to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon as per the agreement, retaining military presence at five border outposts as of January following the ceasefire.