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

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday said 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 said international pressure should be on Hamas rather than Israel, because it started the war and is blocking its end by refusing to hand over captives.

A majority of European powers now recognise a Palestinian state, following official declarations on Monday by France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta and others, after nearly two years of war in Gaza and soaring violence in the West Bank.

A day earlier, Britain, Australia, Canada and Portugal also announced the recognition of Palestine.