Italy halts Israel defence agreement renewal, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says

Published on 14/04/2026 - 14:41 GMT+2

Italy has suspended the automatic renewal of its defence statement with Israel, which involves the speech of subject instrumentality and exertion research, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said connected Tuesday.

"In presumption of the existent situation, the authorities has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defence statement with Israel," Meloni said connected the sidelines of an lawsuit successful Verona, according to Italian quality agencies.

Approved by Israel successful 2006, the statement is reviewed each 5 years.

It calls for practice crossed defence industries, acquisition and grooming of subject personnel, probe and development, and accusation technology, among others.

Tensions betwixt the 2 countries person risen implicit the past week aft the Italian authorities accused Israeli forces of firing informing shots astatine a convoy of Italian UN peacekeepers successful Lebanon successful its ongoing warfare with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.

Italy summoned Israel's ambassador successful protestation implicit the incidental that damaged astatine slightest 1 conveyance but caused nary injuries.

On Monday, Israel summoned Italy's ambassador pursuing comments by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani that condemned "unacceptable attacks" connected Lebanese civilians by Israeli forces.

Tajani, who is lawman premier minister, was successful Beirut connected Monday for talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi.

He aboriginal wrote connected X that helium was determination to "convey Italy's solidarity pursuing Israel's unacceptable attacks against the civilian population."