Spain and Italy have demanded explanations from Israel after the country’s soldiers in Lebanon detained a Spanish United Nations peacekeeper and fired warning shots at an Italian convoy.
The incidents mark another low point in Israel’s relations with Europe, already severely damaged by the war in Gaza and now further strained by the country’s ongoing military campaign in Lebanon.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated on Wednesday that Italy “demands full respect for the role of UNIFIL” after Italian U.N. peacekeepers were “the subject of warning shots fired by the IDF.”
Later in the day, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed Italy’s solidarity with Lebanon regarding “unjustified and unacceptable attacks it is suffering from Israel.”
“We want to prevent a second Gaza,” he added.
Italy summoned the Israeli ambassador — a diplomatic move used to express extreme dissatisfaction — to explain the incident. That option is no longer available to Spain, as Israel has already withdrawn its ambassador from Madrid, with the Spanish government following suit last month.
Israel’s diplomatic representation in Spain is handled by its chargé d’affaires, Dana Elrich, a lower-ranking official. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Elrich “to protest the unjustifiable detention of a Spanish soldier from UNIFIL by the Israeli army.”
On Tuesday, the United Nations Force for Lebanon (UNIFIL) said that the Israel Defense Forces detained a peacekeeper — later confirmed by Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles to be a Spaniard — after “blocking a logistics convoy.” The UN mission added the individual was released “in less than an hour,” but that “any detention of a United Nations peacekeeper is a blatant violation of international law.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned Israeli operations in the region in a post on X: “Just today, Netanyahu launches his harshest attack against Lebanon since the offensive began. His contempt for life and international law is intolerable.”
The PM also called for the European Union to suspend its Association Agreement with Israel and for Lebanon to be included in the ceasefire.
Other European countries have also tried to dissuade Israel from pursuing its ground operation in Lebanon. Even ones that didn’t sign up to joint statements, like stalwart Israeli ally Germany, have been critical of the Israeli government in recent weeks. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said “annexation measures” in the occupied West Bank would be a “big mistake.”
Following the battlefield incidents, both Spain and Italy have talked up relations with Lebanon. While Tajani called up Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Robles met with Hani Chemaitelly, the Lebanese ambassador in Madrid.
“The minister has once again expressed Spain’s total commitment to the security and stability of Lebanon,” Chemaitelly stated. “We appreciate this present and permanent support from the Government of Spain and we hope that during these next few days, this support will bring fruitful results.”
