Statement by Palazzo Chigi on the war in Gaza

The Italian Government has long been committed to supporting all efforts to bring the war in Gaza to an end and secure the release of the hostages. An end to the hostilities is also crucial to be able to address the terrible humanitarian crisis affecting the Strip's civilian population, which is an absolutely unjustifiable and unacceptable tragedy.

The proposal presented today by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, may be a turning point in this process, allowing for a permanent cessation of the hostilities, the immediate release of all the hostages and full and safe humanitarian access for the civilian population to be achieved.

The Plan, which Italy welcomes, presents an ambitious project for the stabilisation, reconstruction and development of the Gaza Strip, with the full involvement of regional partners.

In this context, Italy is ready to do its part, in close coordination with the United States and European and regional partners, and it thanks President Trump for the mediation work and his efforts to bring peace to the Middle East.

Italy therefore urges all parties to seize this opportunity and to accept the Plan.

Hamas, in particular, which began this war with the barbaric terrorist attack on 7 October 2023, now has the opportunity to end it by releasing the hostages, by accepting not to have any role in the future of Gaza and by completely disarming.

Italy will support Washington's efforts for a resumption of dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon towards a peaceful and prosperous coexistence. A just and lasting peace in the Middle East is possible, with a State of Israel and a Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security, and with Israel's full normalisation with Arab and Islamic nations.