Crosetto, Italian soldiers in Lebanon not targets but risks

(ANSA) – ROME, APRIL 15 – After Iran’s attack on Israel “the risks of potential collateral damage in relation to the Red Sea and, above all, Lebanon increase; in fact, having established that our military are not deliberate targets, the risk of their involvement, even if unintentional, in the exchange of fire between the parties”. The Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, said this during a hearing at the joint Foreign Affairs and Defense commissions of the Senate and Chamber. On the risk of possible escalations resulting from Israel’s reaction, the minister explained: “I am not and do not want to call myself pessimistic, but I am certainly worried: there could be a reaction from Israel and a new spiral of violence and war could still be triggered. The only apparent paradox – added Crosetto, who informed that he had a telephone conversation a few hours ago with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant – is that the closer we are and we reassure Israel of our friendship and our support, the more Tel Aviv will feel protected and will deem it less necessary to act in a dramatic manner and make its military strength visible. It is necessary to prevent Israel from implementing a reaction that triggers an escalation, bringing the Middle East to a point of no return.” (HANDLE).