The Israeli government's legitimate reaction to a horrific and senseless terrorist act has unfortunately taken completely tragic and unacceptable forms, which we demand that Israel stops immediately, says Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in parliament in Rome on Wednesday, according to AFP.
The terrorist act refers to the Islamist movement Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The war that has raged since then has been motivated by Israel as necessary self-defense. The many attacks that kill civilian Palestinians have regularly been directed against armed resistants and "terrorists".
Rejects Trump's Plan
Since Israel broke a ceasefire and resumed warfare on March 18, the attacks have escalated. More than 3,800 people are reported to have been killed in the Palestinian area since then.
The bombings must cease, humanitarian efforts must be resumed as soon as possible, and respect for international humanitarian law must be re-established, says Antonio Tajani.
Italy supports an Egyptian plan for the reconstruction of Gaza after the war, announces the Italian, who categorically rejects the plans that have been floated from the American government, which would imply that all Palestinians there are forced to leave their homes.
I want to emphasize today, in this chamber, with the greatest possible clarity: A displacement of Palestinians from Gaza is not and will never be an acceptable alternative, says Tajani before the parliamentarians.
"Disproportionate"
Israel's attacks in Gaza go further than what is necessary to combat Hamas. Bypassing the UN and humanitarian aid deliveries undermines humanitarian principles, says EU's Foreign Chief Kaja Kallas at a press conference in Brussels.
She criticizes a "disproportionate" use of violence and attacks on civilian buildings.
Overall, a more frustrated and critical tone can be noted from several quarters within the EU. Belgium's Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot now speaks of genocide - although he stresses that it is still his and his party's view on the matter, rather than the Belgian government's.
Formally, it is up to the judiciary to express itself, but according to (social-conservative party) Les Engagés, we are facing a genocide, says Prévot to the newspaper Le Soir.
