Italy has called for an immediate end to Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani addressed parliament, saying the ongoing assault has become unacceptable. He warned against any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
The conflict began after Hamas attacked Israeli communities on October 7, 2023. Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign in Gaza, which has faced growing criticism from Western countries, including Italy. Tajani described Israel’s reaction as legitimate but said the current actions are dramatic and unacceptable. He urged Israel to stop bombing Gaza and allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians. According to Gaza health officials, more than 54,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict so far.
Italy has traditionally supported Israel but is increasingly concerned about the impact of the military campaign on civilians. Tajani stressed the need to respect international humanitarian law and called for the bombing to end and humanitarian assistance to resume quickly. Opposition parties in Italy criticized the government’s position and announced a protest in Rome on June 7, demanding sanctions against Israel and official recognition of the State of Palestine.
Despite tensions, Tajani said Italy supports creating a Palestinian state through negotiations with Israel and wants to keep dialogue open with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. He rejected any plan to forcibly move Palestinians out of Gaza, a suggestion made earlier this year by former U.S. President Donald Trump and quickly opposed by Arab countries. Tajani said the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza is not and will never be acceptable.
Italy may join an Arab-led peacekeeping mission in Gaza if it is established, showing willingness to help find peace in the region. The Italian government continues to balance its traditional support for Israel with concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
