Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged Israel on Wednesday to halt its military operations in Gaza, emphasizing that the time has come for a ceasefire in the Palestinian territory.
Initially, Italy supported Israel’s actions following the attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7th. However, its support has waned recently following the deaths of thousands of civilians.
In an interview with the daily newspaper La Stampa, Tajani stressed that the war in Gaza erupted because of the Hamas attack. “But a ceasefire is necessary now, and Israel must stop the military operations that have greatly affected the Palestinian population.”
The interview took place before the meeting of foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) nations hosted by Tajani on the Italian island of Capri. Italy currently holds the rotating presidency of the G7.
Italy’s call for a ceasefire in Gaza reflects its diplomatic efforts to address the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in the region.
Italy has historically played a role in mediating conflicts and promoting peace in the Middle East, aligning its foreign policy with broader European Union positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The G7 meeting provides a platform for coordinated diplomatic action among major Western powers to address the ongoing crisis and explore avenues for de-escalation and humanitarian assistance in Gaza.
