“The over 1.000 Italian soldiers in Lebanon are there for a UN mission. If necessary in Gaza, in a transition phase, one peace mission, we are ready to send our military with the UN as bearers of peace. There is no American request to expand the Lebanese mission in this regard." This was stated by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, to the microphones of Radio24.
Tajani: “Hamas cannot govern Gaza, the Arab plan is the G7 line”
Speaking about the future, the Foreign Minister underlined “Hamas cannot govern a territory who today suffers because of Hamas." According to Tajani, the Arab peace plan is also "the line that the G7 follows, that the EU pursues". That is to say "two Peoples, two States, a Palestinian state that is recognized by all and which in turn recognizes Israel."
“On the 24th and 25th I will be in Lebanon, Israel and Palestine” continued Tajani. “We as Italy are helping the civilian population” she added, underlining the fact that “all mediations are possible”. For example, “Jordan is a country that plays a very important role”. “We are working to achieve peace but obviously missiles can no longer be launched from the Gaza Strip or from Lebanon,” she highlighted.
Tajani was also asked whether Italy has received a request from the USA to expand the Unifil mission in Lebanon. The minister replied: “No, there is no request.” Tajani finally reiterated that "the command lies with the United Nations".
Israel and Palestine Ministers at the EU Council
According to diplomatic sources, the Foreign Ministers of Israel and Palestine will participate in the event Foreign Affairs Council next Monday in Brussels. The agenda at the moment includes a breakfast with the Egyptian minister before the actual Council. Then the 27 will focus on Ukraine. Once the chapter is closed, it will be the Israeli minister's turn. Then a lunch with the emissaries of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Arab League. Finally the meeting with the Palestinian representative.
US confirms new Houthi attack
Meanwhile, in the morning, the US confirmed a new attack by Houthi rebels against one of their ships. “There were no injuries or damage,” reported the Centcom central command, according to which the Houthi militiamen targeted an American merchant ship. The crew of the ship, the Chem Ranger, "saw the missiles hit the water near the ship" and "there are no reports of injuries or damage", the ship "continued its course".
Statements also reach the Yemeni Houthi rebels who guarantee a “safe passage” in the Red Sea for Chinese and Russian ships, Mohammed al Bukhaiti, one of the leaders of the political office of the pro-Iranian Shiite militiamen, told the Russian newspaper "Izvestia". “The folly and idiocy of the United States and the United Kingdom have backfired on them: from now on none of their ships will be able to cross any of the world's major trade routes. The losses for the aggressor countries are higher than those of Yemen,” al Bukhaiti said. “For other countries, including China and Russia, maritime transport in the region is not at risk. Furthermore, we are also ready to ensure the safe passage of their ships in the Red Sea,” the Houthi representative added. “But Israeli ships, or those that have even a weak connection with Israel, will not have the slightest chance of crossing the Red Sea,” al Bukhaiti stressed.
Netanyahu: “No to a post-war Palestinian state”
Late yesterday afternoon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had informed the United States that he was against the creation of a Palestinian state as part of any post-war scenario. “In any future agreement Israel must securely control all territory west of the Jordan,” Netanyahu said at a press conference, “this clashes with the idea of sovereignty. What can we do about it?”. “The prime minister must be able to say no to our friends,” he added.
The US response was immediate: “Nothing changes in President Biden's position that the solution of two states is the best solution in the interests of not only the Israelis but also the Palestinians,” White House Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, “It is in the best interests of the region and we will not stop working toward that goal,” he added, underlining the different points of view with Netanyahu. “We believe that Palestinians have the right to live in an independent state in peace,” he said, still highlighting that the focus remains on “Israel having what it needs to defend itself from Hamas.” "But there will be a post-conflict Gaza, there will not be a new occupation of Gaza – he concluded – we have been clear on this, we want a governance that represents the aspirations of the Palestinian people".
