Italy on Thursday issued a strong call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the ongoing Zionist bombardment, highlighting humanitarian concerns ahead of a key diplomatic gathering in Rome. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking before the Weimar Plus meeting of European foreign ministers, emphasized Italy’s growing role in pushing for peace in the Middle East.
“Our message is clear. We need to stop the war,” Tajani declared, noting Italy’s collaboration with Egypt and Qatar to alleviate civilian suffering in Gaza. His comments come amid mounting international criticism of Zionist continued aggression, which has devastated much of the Gaza Strip.
Tajani also discussed Italy’s position on NATO’s defense spending target of 5% of GDP. While reaffirming Italy’s commitment to increasing its contributions, he called for flexibility and realistic timelines to reach a consensus. “It’s important to achieve an agreement… but timing is also key,” he said.
At the same briefing, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte underlined the alliance’s commitment to Ukraine. He called for sustained military and economic support to ensure Kyiv’s long-term resilience and reiterated the need to prepare NATO for future challenges. The Weimar Plus meeting in Rome focused on Ukraine, preparations for the upcoming NATO and G7 summits, and enhancing Europe’s defense posture amid widening global instability.
