On November 23, 2024, the UNIFIL base in Shama, southern Lebanon, was struck by rockets allegedly fired by Hezbollah or its affiliated groups. The attack resulted in minor injuries to four Italian soldiers stationed at the peacekeeping mission.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned the assault, emphasizing the need for both Israel and Hezbollah to respect the safety of UNIFIL forces. He stated, "It is unacceptable what is happening... our armed forces must not be touched."
Reports indicate that the rockets hit areas of the UNIFIL facilities where peacekeepers had taken refuge. Since Israel's ground invasion of Lebanon began on October 1, multiple UNIFIL posts have been targeted, resulting in injuries among peacekeeping personnel.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also denounced the attack, calling it "unacceptable" and urged all parties on the ground to ensure the safety of UNIFIL soldiers and to work swiftly to identify those responsible.
UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti reported ongoing "intense clashes" between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters in various regions of southern Lebanon, including Naqoura and Chamaa.
This incident follows the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and a Hamas military leader, accusing them of war crimes during the Gaza conflict.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 44,000 Palestinians have died since the onset of the war, with more than half reported to be women and children. The Israeli military claims to have killed over 17,000 militants but has not provided evidence to support this figure.
Hezbollah began firing at Israel following the outbreak of the Gaza war, leading to daily cross-border exchanges and displacing tens of thousands on both sides. The situation has worsened since Israel's ground offensive commenced in early October, with around 15,000 Israeli soldiers believed to be operating in Lebanon.