Italy Pauses Defence Agreement With Israel Amid Lebanon Crisis

Italy has moved to pause military cooperation with Israel as the Lebanon campaign continues. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Rome is stopping the current defence agreement. Italy is also blocking its automatic renewal. The step marks Italy’s sharpest policy change towards Israel since the conflict intensified.

Meloni linked the move to rising concern within the Italian government about Israel’s actions in Lebanon. Italian daily La Repubblica reported Meloni’s words on the decision. Meloni stated: "The government, in light of the situation we are experiencing, has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defence agreement with Israel."

Meloni’s announcement on Tuesday followed a visit to Beirut by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. During the trip, Tajani criticised Israel’s invasion and repeated air strikes. Tajani called Israel’s actions "unacceptable". Tajani said Rome could not ignore the growing civilian toll from the campaign.

Tajani also said the Beirut mission aimed to signal support for people affected by the offensive. Tajani said the visit was meant to "convey Italy's solidarity following Israel's unacceptable attacks against the civilian population". The remarks showed a tougher tone than Italy used earlier in the conflict.

Lebanese authorities said the impact on civilians has remained severe as strikes continue. Officials reported more than 2,000 people killed since the offensive began. More than 6,000 people were injured. Air strikes and shelling were reported across several regions on most days.

Impact	Location	Figure
People killed	Lebanon	More than 2,000
People injured	Lebanon	Over 6,000
Internally displaced	Lebanon	Around 1.2 million
Residents blocked from returning	Occupied Lebanese territory	About 600,000

Displacement has spread across Lebanon, with about 1.2 million people forced from home. Officials included about 600,000 residents in that total. Israeli statements said these residents are not allowed back to occupied areas. Those homes are expected to be demolished, according to the same statements.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said forces would hold Lebanese territory up to the Litani river. Katz described a zone reaching 30 kilometres from the border. Katz said it covers around 10 per cent of Lebanon. Katz also said about 600,000 Lebanese natives would be prevented from returning.

Katz also said the army plans to flatten every Lebanese village within the occupied zone. Katz compared this approach to Rafah in the Gaza Strip. Katz said most of Rafah has already been destroyed. Katz added that Palestinian residents have been expelled from the city.

Italy had already tightened policy earlier, before suspending the defence accord. In 2024, Meloni froze all arms exports to Israel. The freeze followed the Gaza bombing campaign after the October 7 attack. Italy’s latest move, along with Tajani’s remarks, signals a recalibration as the Lebanon conflict continues.