Italy’s government has issued its strongest message yet to Israel, urging an end to the ongoing military strikes in Gaza, which have resulted in a growing civilian death toll.
Speaking from Sicily on Saturday, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani made an emotional appeal for peace. “Enough with the attacks,” Tajani said, according to a statement from his spokesperson.
“We no longer want to see the Palestinian people suffer,” the minister emphasized. “Let’s come to a ceasefire, let’s free the hostages, but let’s leave people who are victims of Hamas alone.”
The statement came as Israel’s military confirmed the launch of a new operation in Gaza, stating that it is in the “initial stages” of an offensive aimed at defeating Hamas.
The offensive follows the end of a two-month truce, with Israel resuming hostilities on March 18. According to Gaza’s civil defence agency, over 100 Palestinians were killed on Friday, and another 10 civilians lost their lives on Saturday as airstrikes continued.
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Health authorities in Gaza reported that at least 146 people have been killed in the past 24 hours alone.
The international community has stepped up its condemnation of Israel’s actions, particularly over the blockade of humanitarian aid. The Gaza Strip, home to over two million people, is facing severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
Despite calls for restraint, Israel’s military said the goal of its latest ground offensive is to “seize control of areas within the Gaza Strip.”
In a related development, Israel confirmed the killing of a Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon on Saturday. The strike marked the fourth attack in recent days, reportedly violating the November ceasefire agreement. Lebanese authorities confirmed at least one civilian death from the latest strike.
