News - Middle East: Italy's Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, has issued a cautionary message to Israel, urging it to heed warnings from its own military against launching a widespread offensive aimed at occupying the entire besieged Gaza Strip. 

In an interview with Il Messaggero, an Italian daily published on Sunday, Tajani remarked, “The invasion of Gaza risks turning into a Vietnam for Israeli soldiers.”

He emphasized that Italy is “profoundly opposed to the exodus of Palestinians from their land.”

Israel’s war cabinet approved a military blueprint on Friday that outlines plans to capture Gaza City and strengthen its control over the already besieged territory, which has faced relentless bombardment for months.

The Italian foreign minister reiterated calls for a United Nations mission to "reunify the Palestinian state" and expressed Italy's readiness to participate in such efforts.

“We want a free state to be established, and we are working toward this,” he added.

Canada and several European countries, which are close allies of Israel, have announced their intention to formally recognize the state of Palestine during the upcoming UN General Assembly. Currently, 147 out of the 193 member states of the UN have already recognized a Palestinian state.

In light of escalating tensions, the UN Security Council convened for an emergency meeting on Sunday after Israel announced its plan to “take control” of Gaza City, provoking a wave of global criticism.

UN Assistant Secretary Miroslav Jenca warned the Security Council that Israel’s plans for Gaza City could lead to “another calamity.” 

Additionally, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk stated that the proposed military takeover of the besieged Gaza Strip would result in more deaths and suffering, urging that such actions must be halted immediately.

More European states ‘strongly condemn’ Israeli plans to occupy Gaza

Also on Sunday, at least eight European countries “strongly” condemned the Israeli regime’s plans to fully occupy Gaza City.

In a joint statement, foreign ministers of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain said they “strongly condemn the recent announcement by Israel of the intensification of the occupation and the military offensive, including in Gaza City.”

They also “firmly” rejected any demographic or territorial changes in the Palestinian territory.

They emphasized that any action in this regard constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

The European foreign ministers noted that the planned occupation will lead to an unacceptable high toll of deaths and the forced displacement of nearly 1 million Palestinian civilians.

The ministers warned that the intensification of the military offensive and the occupation of Gaza City represent a “serious obstacle” to the implementation of the two-state solution.

The Gaza Strip must be an integral part of the State of Palestine, along with the West Bank, including East al-Quds, said the statement.

Israel has been facing mounting outrage over its deadly war in Gaza, where more than 61,400 people have been killed since October 2023.

The genocidal war has devastated the enclave and brought it to the verge of famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former war minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the blockaded Palestinian region.

Press TV