GAZA, (PIC)
The Hamas Movement has welcomed Italy’s decision to suspend the renewal of its military cooperation agreement with Israel, calling it “a step in the right direction” amid the ongoing attacks in Gaza and escalating regional tensions.
In a press release on Wednesday, Hamas said the move represents an important development that could help deter what it described as Israel’s continued violations of international law and human rights in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
The Movement urged Italy and other countries to expand international isolation measures, including halting military cooperation and withdrawing political support.
Italy announced it would suspend the automatic renewal of a 2016 defense cooperation agreement with Israel, a pact that regulates military equipment exchanges and collaboration in defense technologies.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday that the decision was taken “in light of the current situation,” reflecting mounting concerns over developments in the Middle East.
جورجيا ميلوني رئيسة الوزراء الإيطالية تعلن عن تعليق اتفاقية الدفاع العسكري مع إسرائيل التي تتضمن تبادل المعدات العسكرية وأبحاث التكنولوجيا.
وإسرائيل تعلق بان تعليق #إيطاليا اتفاقية التعاون العسكري لن يؤثر على أمننا
pic.twitter.com/yv9zAIAauj— علي عيسى #قطر
(@AliEisaQat) April 14, 2026
Italian defense minister Guido Crosetto formally informed Israeli war minister Israel Katz of the suspension, according to Italian media.
The decision follows a series of diplomatic tensions between the two sides, including incidents in southern Lebanon where the Israeli occupation forces fired warning shots toward convoys belonging to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which includes Italian troops.
The incidents prompted a diplomatic exchange, with Italy summoning Israel’s ambassador in Rome, while Israel summoned Italy’s ambassador in Tel Aviv after Italian statements expressed support for Lebanon.
Meloni emphasized that diplomatic efforts must continue to push forward a political resolution in the Middle East, noting that reopening the Strait of Hormuz remains a key priority for Italy to secure energy and essential supply routes.
Italy’s move signals a notable shift in European positioning, as international pressure grows over the humanitarian and geopolitical consequences of Israel’s actions in Gaza and across the region.
