Rome: Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has called on Israel to cease its military operations in Gaza and ensure the safety of two senior Christian leaders who are delivering humanitarian aid to civilians in the embattled region.

According to Anadolu Agency, Tajani communicated with Cardinal Pizzaballa, who, along with Patriarch Theophilos, is entering Gaza with 500 tons of aid intended for the civilian population. Tajani emphasized the importance of halting military actions and securing the safety of the envoys on their humanitarian mission.

Tajani has urged an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, highlighting that the conflict in Gaza must come to an end to pave the way for diplomatic negotiations. He underscored the necessity of stopping attacks on civilians, securing the release of all Israeli hostages, and facilitating the swift entry of essential humanitarian assistance.

The Israeli military has maintained its offensive against Gaza since October 2023, despite international appeals for a ceasefire. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of nearly 59,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children. In a related development, last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Furthermore, Israel is currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice regarding its actions in the enclave.