Flotilla, Tajani: Ben Gvir's words against Italia unworthy. Operations in Lebanon increase risks of escalation

'I have no words to comment on what he said about Italia yesterday after learning that he was investigated by the Public Prosecutor's Office. These are unacceptable words that we send back to the sender, they are not worthy of a minister'. So said Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani referring, in a hearing before the joint committees on Foreign Affairs and Defence of the House and Senate, to what Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir had said.

"Italia is a country that is a friend of Israel, which has always defended freedom, democracy, is a protagonist of peace, and we reject any offence, any attempt to denigrate, but the words spoken by Ben Gvir show what the political and moral level of this gentleman is. Many countries have welcomed our proposal to sanction him, starting with France'.

"Lebanon is an increasingly critical front. The developments of the last few days are very worrying. Israeli military operations in the south of the country are increasing the risks of escalation, and distancing the prospect of stability. Above all, they cause new suffering among the civilian population, with an increasing number of victims and displaced persons'. This was stated by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in a hearing before the joint Foreign and Defence committees of the House and Senate.

Then the focus shifts to Gaza. "Our condemnation of the ruthless terrorism of Hamas is firm and absolute," notes the deputy prime minister. "Terrorism is never justified, no political cause, no conflict, no claim can legitimise the massacre of innocent civilians. We have said it many times: the disarmament of Hamas is a priority'.

Italian participation in international missions remains 'an essential instrument of collective security, shared values, objectives and responsibilities' in a framework marked by increasingly rapid and interconnected crises. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto illustrating the structure of international missions for 2026 to the Foreign and Defence Committees of the House and Senate. Crosetto emphasised that the lessons learnt in recent years point to the need for a military instrument that is 'more responsive, flexible' and capable of rapid intervention 'wherever circumstances require it'. This is also the perspective of the regulatory change introduced last year, which allows margins of flexibility in the deployment of personnel within missions belonging to the same geographic area, favouring mobility between devices and a more rapid reallocation of resources.