ROME: Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called Thursday for an 鈥渋mmediate ceasefire鈥� in Gaza and called on Israel to protect the Palestinian population after troops opened fire at an aid convoy.
鈥淭he tragic deaths in Gaza demand an immediate ceasefire to facilitate more humanitarian aid, the release of hostages and the protection of civilians,鈥� he said on X, hours after the incident which the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said killed 104 people.
鈥淲e strongly urge Israel to protect the people in Gaza and to rigorously ascertain facts and responsibilities,鈥� he said.
The Israeli military said a 鈥渟tampede鈥� occurred when thousands of Gazans surrounded a convoy of 30 aid trucks, leading to dozens of deaths and injuries, including some who were run over by the lorries.
An Israeli source acknowledged troops had opened fire on the crowd, believing it 鈥減osed a threat.鈥�
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her 鈥渄eep dismay and concern鈥� over the violence, calling on Israel to 鈥渦rgently ascertain the dynamics of the incident and relative responsibilities.鈥�
She also called for negotiation efforts to be 鈥渋mmediately intensified to create the conditions for a ceasefire鈥� and the freeing of the hostages.