Italy Defense Minister Criticizes Israel Gaza Actions, Weighs Sanctions

Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has sharply criticized Israel's actions in Gaza, describing them as a 'pure denial of the law and the founding values of civilization' and a loss of reason and humanity. He emphasized that the current situation transcends a military operation with collateral damage, accusing the Israeli government of pursuing a campaign that amounts to the conquest of foreign territory amid a severe humanitarian crisis. Crosetto has called for international pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reconsider his approach, suggesting that sanctions might be necessary to compel change and protect the Palestinian people from what he terms a government that has lost its sanity. While Italy remains committed to humanitarian aid, Crosetto warned against recognizing Palestinian statehood prematurely, arguing it could provoke further political instability. He stressed the importance of distinguishing between governments and peoples, applying this principle to both Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose tactics he compared. These remarks reflect growing European frustration over the prolonged conflict and its devastating humanitarian toll.