Italian PM sets preconditions for Palestinian state recognition

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said that Italy will continue to train personnel for the future administration of the Gaza Strip, but will recognise the Palestinian state only after Hamas has been fully disarmed, according to La Repubblica.

While making statements to the Senate ahead of the European Council, Meloni emphasised Italy’s ongoing commitment to Gaza:

“From the security point of view, we are ready to participate in a possible international stabilisation force and to continue to support the Palestinian National Authority in the training of its police forces and the strengthening of their operational capacities,” she said. “We still have to define the details of our contribution, but I believe that a parliamentary passage on these matters is already appropriate, and we will therefore have the opportunity to examine them together. And I am sure that, since it is a question of making a real and concrete contribution to peace in the Middle East, all the forces in Parliament will not fail to give their convinced support.”

Meloni added: “We are ready to contribute with our Carabinieri, already present for years in Jericho, for the training of the Palestinian police, and in the EU mission for Rafah, whose number we are ready to increase. I will reiterate this in person to President Abbas, with whom I have an appointment in Rome for early November.”

The Prime Minister stressed that Italy’s recognition of a Palestinian state is conditional on the disarmament of Hamas. “These are necessary preconditions for Italy's recognition of the Palestinian state, as outlined in the parliamentary resolution. The government is ready to act appropriately when these conditions are met,” she said, recalling the framework set out in US President Donald Trump’s plan, under which Hamas must renounce any role in Gaza’s governance before reconstruction can proceed.

Meloni also highlighted Italy’s broader efforts in Gaza, defending the country’s work in the face of criticism: “Italy continues to do intensive work that puts it in first place among Western nations and is ready to increase its effort,” she said. “From too many quarters, mainly out of self-interest, people pretend not to see this or try to deny it.”

She added, “Our effort for Gaza, unique among Western nations, does justice to the many polemics and lies heard in recent months. And I am proud to represent a nation where the majority of citizens still know how to distinguish between cynicism flaunted for the cameras and true and silent solidarity.”

In addition to security and training efforts, Meloni said Italy is ready to contribute to the reconstruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, particularly in the health sector, and to co-organise a conference on the Strip’s reconstruction in Cairo once the ceasefire holds.

By Tamilla Hasanova