Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday her government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of a defense cooperation agreement with Israel, citing the 'current situation.' Speaking to reporters during a visit to Verona, Meloni said the decision was made 'in light of current circumstances,' but did not provide further details regarding the scope or duration of the measure. The move follows Italy’s summoning of the Israeli ambassador last week after Rome reported that Israeli forces fired warning shots at a convoy of Italian soldiers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), damaging at least one vehicle. In a reciprocal move on Monday, Israel summoned the Italian ambassador to protest remarks made by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during a visit to Beirut. Tajani had condemned what he described as 'unacceptable attacks' by Israel on civilians in Lebanon. Tajani, a senior minister in Meloni’s cabinet, called for an 'essential and lasting ceasefire' and warned that a repeat of the escalation seen in Gaza must be avoided 'at any cost.'
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday her government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of a defense cooperation agreement with Israel, citing the 'current situation.' Speaking to reporters during a visit to Verona, Meloni said the decision was made 'in light of current circumstances,' but did not provide further details regarding the scope or duration of the measure. The move follows Italy’s summoning of the Israeli ambassador last week after Rome reported that Israeli forces fired warning shots at a convoy of Italian soldiers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), damaging at least one vehicle. In a reciprocal move on Monday, Israel summoned the Italian ambassador to protest remarks made by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during a visit to Beirut. Tajani had condemned what he described as 'unacceptable attacks' by Israel on civilians in Lebanon. Tajani, a senior minister in Meloni’s cabinet, called for an 'essential and lasting ceasefire' and warned that a repeat of the escalation seen in Gaza must be avoided 'at any cost.'
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday her government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of a defense cooperation agreement with Israel, citing the 'current situation.' Speaking to reporters during a visit to Verona, Meloni said the decision was made 'in light of current circumstances,' but did not provide further details regarding the scope or duration of the measure. The move follows Italy’s summoning of the Israeli ambassador last week after Rome reported that Israeli forces fired warning shots at a convoy of Italian soldiers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), damaging at least one vehicle. In a reciprocal move on Monday, Israel summoned the Italian ambassador to protest remarks made by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during a visit to Beirut. Tajani had condemned what he described as 'unacceptable attacks' by Israel on civilians in Lebanon. Tajani, a senior minister in Meloni’s cabinet, called for an 'essential and lasting ceasefire' and warned that a repeat of the escalation seen in Gaza must be avoided 'at any cost.'
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Italy suspends military cooperation agreement with Israel over Lebanon tensions
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