Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Wednesday reiterated his call for Israel to halt its offensive against Hamas in Gaza due to the huge toll it is having on Palestinian civilians.

The population of the Strip has been paying a very high price for too long,” Tajani said as he reported to the Lower House on the situation in Gaza.

“As Pope Leo XIV pointed out, the children, the elderly, the sick are paying the price.

“These innocent deaths wound our values and outrage our consciences.

“The legitimate reaction of the Israeli government to a terrible, senseless act of terrorism is taking on dramatic, absolutely unacceptable forms,” he added.

“The bombing must end, humanitarian assistance must resume as soon as possible, respect for international humanitarian law must be restored.

“I want to reiterate clearly that the only possible prospect for peace, the inalienable objective, remains the start of a political process leading to two states living together in peace and security.

“Italy is working with comprehensive action with all our partners, starting with the European ones and with US Secretary of State Rubio, with whom we are carrying out an intense diplomatic effort to re-knit the threads of dialogue and stop the catastrophe”.