Italy has suspended a long-standing defence cooperation agreement with Israel, marking a sharp shift in relations as tensions in the Middle East escalate.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the decision was taken “in light of the current situation”, signalling growing unease in Rome over Israel’s recent military actions, particularly in Lebanon.
The move follows a series of incidents that have strained ties, including Israeli forces firing warning shots near Italian troops serving under a United Nations mandate in Lebanon and damaging a vehicle.
While no injuries were reported, the episode sparked diplomatic protests and heightened concern among Italian officials.
Behind closed doors, Meloni is understood to have agreed the suspension with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.
For years, Italy had been one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe. However, recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon, which have reportedly killed more than 2,000 and injured at least 6,000 civilians, according to the UN, have drawn unusually direct criticism from Rome.
Tajani recently described the attacks as “unacceptable”, reflecting a noticeable hardening in tone.
At home, opposition parties had been pressing the government to act. Elly Schlein welcomed the decision, saying it was overdue and urging further steps at the European level.
The defence agreement, first signed in 2003 and active since 2006, covered cooperation on military training, technology and the exchange of defence equipment. It had been set to renew automatically.
Diplomatic tensions have escalated in recent days, with both countries summoning each other’s ambassadors, underlining how quickly relations have deteriorated.
Pakistan on Sunday expressed "deep concern" over the latest escalation in the Middle East following renewed military exchanges between the U.S. and Ir...
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claim...
The UK has announced a fresh round of sanctions against individuals and organisations it says are responsible for cyber attacks and hybrid operations ...
Pakistan on Sunday expressed "deep concern" over the latest escalation in the Middle East following renewed military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran. It urged all sides to exercise restraint and honour commitments made under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claims it has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.
The UK has announced a fresh round of sanctions against individuals and organisations it says are responsible for cyber attacks and hybrid operations linked to Russian intelligence, in a move aimed at countering efforts to destabilise Europe.
Tajikistan will reduce electricity exports and increase water reserves ahead of winter as the government seeks to improve domestic power supplies after last year’s seasonal shortages.
The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum will bring together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 54 countries in Azerbaijan's historic city of Shusha on 13-14 July, to discuss journalism’s role in peacebuilding, restoring public trust and tackling challenges.
The U.S. has launched fresh strikes on Iran after Tehran targeted a container ship and said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also claimed to have expanded attacks on U.S. military facilities across the Gulf.
Typhoon Bavi, the strongest storm to hit the eastern coast of mainland China this year, brought heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and landslides after making landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday. More than 2.8 million people were evacuated to safety ahead of the storm.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
Qatar is mourning the death of its former ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who has passed away at the age of 74.
The UK has announced a fresh round of sanctions against individuals and organisations it says are responsible for cyber attacks and hybrid operations linked to Russian intelligence, in a move aimed at countering efforts to destabilise Europe.
A 93-year-old British woman has died after being injured in wildfires that swept through southeastern Spain's Almeria province, regional authorities said, bringing the confirmed death toll to 13 people.
More than 10,000 excess deaths were recorded across 27 European countries during a record-breaking heatwave in late June, with older people accounting for the vast majority of the toll, according to official mortality data.
An overnight fire at a popular bar in Bangkok has killed at least 27 people and injured 63 others, making it one of the deadliest pub disasters in the Thai capital in recent years. Authorities say the venue quickly filled with thick smoke, trapping patrons inside.
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