Meloni: Italy will recognise Palestine if captives freed, Hamas excluded

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that Italy would recognise a Palestinian state if all Israeli captives are released and Hamas is excluded from any government role. Speaking from New York, Meloni argued that international pressure should be on Hamas, which she said started the war and is blocking its end by not releasing captives. This position comes as a majority of European powers, including France, Belgium, and the UK, have recently announced their recognition of a Palestinian state amid the ongoing war in Gaza.