Ramallah – Prime Minister’s Office - Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, met with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani where they discussed the latest developments concerning the ongoing Israeli genocidal war against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, with particular focus on the intensified aggression on northern Gaza, as well as the forced displacement and starvation. They also addressed the escalating attacks by the Israeli occupation army and settlers in the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

During a meeting at his office in Ramallah, attended by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Wael Zaqout, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, and Italian Consul General Domenico Bellato, Prime Minister Mustafa stressed that Israel’s ongoing machine of killing, destruction, and starvation in Gaza will not bring peace to Israel. It must not be allowed to turn the West Bank into another Gaza, he further emphasized.

Mustafa commended Italy's efforts to push for a ceasefire, de-escalating, and bringing stability to the region, expressing profound appreciation to Italy for its continued support to Palestine, including its recent support to UNRWA and the delivery of a new batch of aid to Gaza via Jordan. He also acknowledged Italy’s role in treating Gaza’s injured Palestinians in Italian hospitals, affirming the strong bilateral relations and joint cooperation between the two countries.

The Prime Minister outlined ongoing efforts and diplomatic engagements at all levels to halt the Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people. He emphasized the importance of establishing mechanisms to implement the UN General Assembly resolution based on the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, aiming to end the occupation and realize the establishment of the Palestinian state.

Mustafa called for increased pressure on Israel to cease its illegal deductions from Palestinian tax revenues and to release the funds it withholds. He also underscored the importance of Italy recognizing the State of Palestine, urging support for a new wave of international recognitions to achieve the Palestinian national goals: ending the occupation, securing freedom, and realizing an independent Palestinian state.

He briefed Tajani on the government's ongoing institutional reform efforts and the formation of a national team to begin the reconstruction of Gaza immediately after the Israeli aggression comes to an end.