SRINAGAR: Italy has suspended its defence agreement with Israel, which includes cooperation in military equipment exchange and technology research, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, as reported by The New York Times.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event in Verona, Meloni said the government has decided to halt the automatic renewal of the agreement in view of the current situation, according to Italian news agencies ANSA and AGI.
An Italian diplomatic source also confirmed the move, stating that continuing the agreement would have been politically difficult.
The agreement, originally approved in 2006 and reviewed every five years, covers cooperation in defence industries, military training and education, research and development, and information technology.
Tensions between the two countries have escalated over the past week after Italy accused Israeli forces of firing warning shots at a convoy of Italian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. The incident damaged at least one vehicle but caused no injuries.
Following the incident, Italy summoned Israel’s ambassador to lodge a protest. In response, Israel summoned Italy’s ambassador after Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned what he described as “unacceptable attacks” on Lebanese civilians by Israeli forces.
Tajani, who also serves as deputy prime minister, was in Beirut for talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi. He later said he conveyed Italy’s solidarity with civilians affected by the attacks.
