Italy’s president calls Gaza situation 'unacceptable,' urges Arab countries' involvement
Sergio Mattarella stresses urgent need for ceasefire, hostage release during Luxembourg visit
GENEVA
Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Wednesday described the humanitarian and political crisis in Gaza as "unacceptable," urging immediate international action and the involvement of Arab nations to address the escalating situation.
"A quick reflection is needed, involving Arab countries, to find a solution that resolves the serious situation today," Mattarella said during political talks in Luxembourg.
Reinforcing his call for urgent de-escalation, the Italian head of state added that "a ceasefire must be reached immediately and all hostages must be released by Hamas."
Meanwhile, regional political shifts within Italy drew attention. The Regional Council of Tuscany approved a motion to suspend all institutional collaboration with the Israeli government, citing "persistent and serious violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip," according to Il Tempo.
The motion, presented by the Democratic Party and supported by Italia Viva, the 5 Star Movement and Europa Verde, passed with 24 votes in favor and seven against.
"This motion has a predominantly symbolic value," said Tuscany’s President Eugenio Giani, "but it includes a strong call for the recognition of the State of Palestine."
The resolution also urges the Italian government to condemn the actions of the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to push for the suspension of economic and commercial relations.
The Israeli army, rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, has pursued a brutal offensive against Gaza since October 2023, killing over 55,100 Palestinians, most of them women and children.
As Israel has continued to close all Gaza’s border crossings to humanitarian aid since early March, aid agencies have warned about the risk of famine among Gaza’s 2.4 million inhabitants.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
