ROME

Italy’s foreign minister said Tuesday that he is worried about the intensification of clashes between Israel and Hezbollah across the southern border with Lebanon, adding that Italy supports US mediation efforts aimed at stabilizing the situation.

“In recent months we have witnessed an intensification of clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah,” Antonio Tajani told the Italian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. “These dynamics confirm the tight connection between the military operations in Gaza and in southern Lebanon.”

“It isn’t fortuitous that the latest resurgence of the fight in Lebanon coincides with the stalling of talks for a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel and with the beginning of the offensive in Rafah,” he added, referring to the southern Gaza city that served a refuge for over a million people but was targeted by Israel, drawing international condemnation.

He said Italy supports any action aimed at stabilizing the southern border of Lebanon, underscoring that it “supports with conviction the mediation of the US.”

He added: “We have to avoid the multiplication of mediation levels and maintain a unique and coherent diplomatic initiative.”

Tajani also said that while Italy respects some European countries moving to recognize a Palestinian state, such unilateral actions can be counterproductive.

“An effective and sustainable solution can only emerge from negotiations with Israel,” he told lawmakers.

He said the Italian government is firmly convinced about the need to achieve in the short term the creation of a Palestinian state, which recognizes Israel and is also recognized by Israel.​​​​​​​