Source tells N12: Italy considers joining new international force in Lebanon
The international force may take shape soon and is planned to include additional countries. The goal: to oversee the implementation of the pilot in southern Lebanon.
Talks between Israel and Lebanon continue this Wednesday in Italy, as delegations from Jerusalem, Beirut, and Washington have gathered in Rome for a second round of negotiations. The discussions focus on disarming Hezbollah and creating a mechanism that would facilitate the withdrawal of IDF forces while ensuring the removal of threats to Israel.
N12 has learned from a source familiar with the details that Italy has been asked to participate in an international force in southern Lebanon alongside other major nations. According to the source, Rome is viewing the proposal positively, and there is an expectation that it will be accepted.
The objective of this force will be to oversee and ensure the success of a pilot program in which the Lebanese army enters areas vacated by the IDF in the south to prevent the return of Hezbollah. It appears the new force will be similar in structure to the International Stabilization Force for Gaza (ISF), though the source noted it will be composed of countries with greater political weight.
The mandate of the UN’s UNIFIL force, currently stationed in southern Lebanon and including many Italian soldiers, is set to expire at the end of the year. The new force may replace it, with indications that it would be more active and aggressive than UNIFIL, which has faced criticism for its inability to counter Hezbollah.
The source estimates that the force would include thousands of soldiers from each participating nation, including Italy. However, he expressed hope that diplomatic efforts toward disarming Hezbollah might succeed, potentially rendering the need for such a force unnecessary.
Italy has a long history of involvement in Lebanon and remains one of Israel's closest European allies, placing it in a unique position to influence the conflict. Despite a recent cooling in relations—highlighted by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s decision to suspend a security agreement with Israel—Italy remains a stable ally that consistently blocks sanctions against Israel within the European Union.
