Rome, May 27, 2024 — In one of the most forceful rebukes yet from Rome regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto declared that Israel's recent military actions against Palestinian civilians could no longer be justified.
"There is an increasingly difficult situation, in which the Palestinian people are being squeezed without regard for the rights of innocent men, women, and children who have nothing to do with Hamas, and this can no longer be justified," Crosetto stated in an interview with SkyTG24 TV. "We are watching the situation with despair."
The remarks follow the latest Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, which resulted in the deaths of at least 35 Palestinians and injured dozens more. The Israeli military asserted that the strike targeted a Hamas compound, although Israel's top military prosecutor labeled the incident as "very grave" and expressed regret for any harm caused to non-combatants.
While Crosetto acknowledged Italy's fundamental agreement with Israel's right to respond to the October 7 assault by Hamas militants on southern Israeli communities, he emphasized the necessity of distinguishing between the Islamist group and the broader Palestinian population.
This sentiment was echoed by other high-ranking Italian officials. On Saturday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani met with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa in Rome. During the meeting, they reiterated Italy's support for a ceasefire and urged Hamas to release Israeli hostages.
Italy's stance reflects a growing international concern over the humanitarian impact of the conflict on Palestinian civilians. As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, calls for an immediate ceasefire and renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis are intensifying.
Saudi Arabia Breaking News will continue to monitor developments in this evolving story.
コメント