"The agreement reached in Egypt for the implementation of the first phase of President Trump's peace plan is extraordinary news that paves the way for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces to agreed lines," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Thursday.
"I wish to thank President Trump for relentlessly seeking an end to the conflict in Gaza and the mediators - Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey - for their efforts which proved crucial for the positive outcome achieved," the premier continued. "This agreement and the broader path outlined by the Trump Plan constitute a unique opportunity to end this conflict that must absolutely be seized. For this reason, I urge all parties to fully respect the measures already agreed upon and to work to quickly implement the next steps envisioned by the peace plan."
"Italy will continue to support the efforts of the mediators and is ready to contribute to the stabilization, reconstruction, and development of Gaza," Meloni concluded.
'The main protagonists'
"We must thank Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar for the work done; they were the main protagonists, together with the United States, they convinced Hamas to sign," while the Americans put pressure on Israel, underlined Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in an interview with Rtl.
The agreement reached overnight between Israel and Hamas "is excellent news, peace is around the corner, now of course we need to strengthen" this first understanding for the ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages, and the liberation of Palestinian detainees, Tajani added, insisting on the need to commit to working "for a lasting peace" and reiterating Italy's readiness "to do its part" for the reconstruction of Gaza, a topic at the center of a meeting today in Paris with colleagues from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, connected with the ministers of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Emirates, and Qatar.
The overnight agreement is "the first step in the implementation of the first part of the American plan that the Italian government, with the support of Parliament, has always supported and favored in every way," the minister emphasized, convinced that "a new season" is opening. But, he warned, now "we must defend peace; signing an agreement is not enough; every day we must ensure it is not ruined; we must build a lasting peace with the ultimate goal of a two-state solution."
In a post to X/Twitter, Tajani also reiterated that Italy is ready to send troops if peacekeeping forces are needed.
"The peace is near," Tajani wrote. "Italy, which has always supported the US plan, is ready to do its part to consolidate the ceasefire, deliver new humanitarian aid, and participate in the reconstruction of Gaza. We are also ready to send troops if an international peacekeeping force is created to reunify Palestine."