By Ahmet Gencturk
ATHENS (AA) – Italian and Egyptian foreign ministers on Saturday discussed Israel’s war on Gaza and escalation in the Red Sea after Houthi attacks.
“Italy is committed to launching a European mission in the Red Sea, to which we intend to contribute with a leading role," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry over phone, according to a statement by the Italian Foreign Ministry.
The Houthis have been attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea in support of Palestinians in Gaza, where Israeli bombardment has killed nearly 25,000 people and turned the territory to ruins. In response, the US military has launched several strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen.
Putting a special emphasis on the prompt need for de-escalation in the Middle East, the Italian diplomat reiterated the need to restore a political horizon towards a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians, which would be the most effective response to Hamas, the statement added.
Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on Gaza since a cross-border attack by Hamas, which Tel Aviv says killed 1,200 people.
At least 24,927 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and 62,388 others injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.
The Israeli offensive has left 85% of Gaza’s population internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure is damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected calls for a cease-fire, and to work towards a two-state solution.