ROME: General Luciano Portolano, Italy’s Chief of Staff of the Defense, expressed significant concerns about the current rules of engagement for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), following incidents where the UN peacekeeping force was fired upon by Israeli forces engaged with Hezbollah. The general highlighted the inadequacy of the rules in a televised interview, stressing that they do not match the level of threat and responsibilities assigned to UNIFIL, especially regarding the disarmament of armed groups like Hezbollah.
According to Ansa News Agency, General Portolano discussed these issues on Rai’s “In Mezzora” program, where he articulated his frustrations with the UNIFIL’s operational limitations. He pointed out that although the mandate for UNIFIL is generally sufficient, the rules of engagement fall short of what is necessary for the kind of tasks the force is expected to undertake. “The mandate issued for UNIFIL is adequate. What is not adequate, and what has often created frustr
ation for me, including with the local population, are the rules of engagement,” Portolano stated.
The general also commended the professionalism of the 1,000-strong Italian contingent that is part of UNIFIL, particularly in their response to the recent attacks. He praised the soldiers’ awareness and professional handling of the situation despite the challenging circumstances. “The reaction of our soldiers in Lebanon, which I hear about on a daily basis through the contingent commanders, is extremely professional,” he noted. Portolano added that the Italian troops are fully aware of the risks and the limitations imposed by the current rules of engagement, which are further strained by the presence of Israeli forces in areas that are under UN responsibility.
This criticism comes at a critical time when UNIFIL’s role and effectiveness are under scrutiny due to the increasing tensions in the region. The issues raised by General Portolano could prompt discussions on revising the rules of engagement to better eq
uip UNIFIL to fulfill its duties and ensure the safety and effectiveness of its operations in the volatile environment of Lebanon.
