Italy allegedly continues arms exports to Israel even after Oct. 7

By Baris Seckin

ROME (AA) - Italy's right-wing coalition government allegedly exported weapons to Israel in October-November 2023, despite previously stating no arms had been sent after Oct. 7.

According to a report by the Italian magazine "Altraeconomia," based on updated trade data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), Italy exported a total of 817,536 euros worth of weapons and ammunition to Israel in the period of October-November 2023.

The report mentioned that this export was around 1.5 million euros in November 2022 and declined over the year.

It also noted that these figures contradicted statements made by the right-wing coalition government led by ı, which had previously announced the suspension of arms exports to Israel as of Oct. 7.

Opposition parties called on the government to clarify the issue following the report.

On Jan. 20, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (PD), Elly Schlein, stated that weapons should not be sent to Israel.

In response, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said, "We decided not to send more weapons to Israel as of Oct. 7, so there is no need to discuss this issue."

Israel has launched a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian group Hamas, which Tel Aviv says killed nearly 1,200 people.

At least 30,035 Palestinians have since been killed and over 70,457 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.
Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation.

The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza's population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.