(Adnkronos) – Italy on Thursday thanked mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey who worked with senior US mediators at indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, which led the warring sides to announce agreement on the first phase of US president Donald Trumps’ peace plan for Gaza: a ceasefire and hostage deal.
“We owe thanks to Egypt, Turkey and Qatar for their work,” foreign minister Antonio Tajani told Rtl Radio.
“They were the key players, together with the United States, in convincing Hamas to sign up while the Americans put pressure on Israel. The overnight agreement between Israel and Hamas is excellent news. Peace is just around the corner,” Tajani said.
Clearly “this initial ceasefire agreement, the release of Israeli hostages and the liberation of Palestinian prisoners must be implemented,” Tajani continued.
Nations must commit to working “for a lasting peace”, said Tajani.
Tajani underlined Italy’s unwavering willingness ‘”to play its part” in rebuilding Gaza, most of which has been reduced to ruins by Israel’s military offensive which began after the Hamas-led cross-border attack on 7 October 2023 in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage according to Israeli tallies.
“Italy is ready to send humanitarian aid and military personnel. We already have paramilitary Carabinieri police officers in the West Bank, in Jericho, and at the Rafah crossing (between Gaza and Egypt), where they are greatly appreciated,” Tajani stated.
