Italy declared on Monday that the Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians in Gaza are no longer justified, marking one of Rome’s strongest criticisms of the Israeli military operation in Gaza so far.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told Sky TV 24, “The situation is becoming increasingly difficult as the Palestinian people are being pressed without regard for the rights of innocent men, women, and children who have no connection to Hamas, and this can no longer be justified… We are watching the situation with despair.” Crosetto added that while Italy agrees in principle with the Israeli response to the Hamas attack on southern Israeli towns on October 7, a distinction must be made between the armed group and the Palestinian people.
The latest Israeli airstrikes on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza have resulted in at least 35 Palestinian deaths and dozens of injuries. Israel stated that the strike targeted a Hamas complex, while the Israeli Military Advocate General, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, described Monday’s strikes as “very serious.” She noted that the Israeli military “regrets any harm to non-combatants during the war.”
Last Saturday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani met with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa in Rome, reaffirming their support for a ceasefire in Gaza and urging Hamas to release the Israeli hostages. Italy has repeatedly stated that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas. Last week, Rome described the International Criminal Court Prosecutor’s decision to request an arrest warrant for Israeli leaders as “unacceptable.”
