Need to distinguish between Hamas and Palestinians -Crosetto

(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 23 - It is necessary to differentiate between the Islamic militant group Hamas and the Palestinian people, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said on Monday during a lightning visit to Lebanon.
    "It is necessary to make a clear distinction between Hamas, which is a terrorist organisation whose aim is to destroy Israel, and the fate of the Palestinian people," said Crosetto at the Shama military base and headquarters of the Italian contingent taking part in the UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) mission in southern Lebanon.
    "Italy, for its part, is moving at 360 degrees for there to be a de-escalation of the conflict" triggered by the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, he continued.
    "It would be dramatic if these events were to inflame the Islamic world and trigger a new war between the West and Islam," said Crosetto, adding that "this is the first time I have seen such choral activism to prevent the situation from getting worse".
    On Monday the health ministry in the Hamas-governed Gaza Strip said over 5,000 Palestinians have so far been killed in the enclave in retaliatory strikes by Israel.
    In Israel more than 1,400 people have been reported killed and over 3,300 others injured since the upsurge in hostilities.
    In addition, on Monday Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said 222 Israeli citizens are now believed to have been taken hostage by Hamas, including numerous people with dual nationality. (ANSA).