ATHENS 

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in her talks with Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, on Tuesday reiterated her support for trilateral mediation talks between the US, Qatar, and Egypt to de-escalate regional tensions, hoping for a cease-fire for long-term peace. 

Meloni hoped "that an agreement can be reached for a sustainable cease-fire in Gaza and the release of the hostages, in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735, during the next round of negotiations on August 15," according to a statement issued by the Italian Prime Minister's Office following her phone talks with Netanyahu.

“In recognizing Israel's right to self-defense, the Prime Minister underlined the importance of a de-escalation at the regional level, including along the Israeli-Lebanese border where the United Nations interposition force, UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon), is present, in which Italy plays a leading role,” the statement added.

Separately, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on X that Rome encourages all regional parties to work together to achieve a cease-fire in Gaza, which should ensure the release of Israeli hostages.

"Iran should renounce actions that could provoke an escalation in the region," he alleged.

Hamas and Iran have accused Israel of assassinating Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil. Tel Aviv has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility.

Lebanese Hezbollah is also expected to retaliate after Israel assassinated senior commander Fuad Shukr in an airstrike on a southern suburb of Beirut on July 30.

Shukr was assassinated one day before Haniyeh, putting the region on edge for a potentially wider war amid Israel's ongoing assaults on the besieged Gaza Strip. Nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed during the 10-month war. Less than 1,200 people were killed in the cross-border attack led by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.​​​​​​​