ROME

Several Italian lawmakers have strongly criticized Israel’s latest bombings in Gaza, accusing the Israeli government of violating the ceasefire and committing war crimes.

Speaking in the Chamber of Deputies, opposition lawmaker Stefania Ascari from the Five Star Movement (M5S) said: "The first thing I saw this morning was the lifeless body of a two-year-old child killed by Israeli bombing. I held my eight-year-old daughter Virginia and felt immense sorrow because what is happening to families in Gaza is the worst nightmare any parent can face, losing their child."

She called the renewed attacks, which have killed more than 700 people, “horrifying.”

She also dismissed claims that a ceasefire had been in place, asserting that "the ceasefire never even started," and accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of continuing attacks while blocking humanitarian aid from entering Gaza through the Rafah crossing.

Displaying images of children killed in Gaza, Ascari challenged Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

"Let him come here and tell us if these children were terrorists or innocent victims of a deliberate genocide against the Palestinian people. We have lost everything, law, justice, reason and conscience, but above all, humanity. Let us regain our humanity," she said.

Nicola Fratoianni, a lawmaker from the opposition Green and Left Alliance (AVS), also condemned Israel’s actions and criticized the EU and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for their lack of a clear stance.

"Europe is dying in Gaza, unable to do more than urge restraint while (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu’s government bombs children to secure its political survival," Fratoianni said, calling for sanctions against Israel and the suspension of the EU-Israel Partnership Agreement.

Israel resumes heavy attacks on Gaza

Despite a ceasefire declared on Jan. 19, Israel resumed large-scale attacks on Gaza on March 18. Since then, more than 700 Palestinians have been killed and over 900 others injured.

Nearly 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 112,000 others injured in a brutal Israeli military campaign in Gaza since October 2023.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.