Free Hamas hostages says Matterella

(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 6 - The Israeli hostages held by Hamas since the October 7 2023 attacks on southern Israel must be freed, President Sergio Mattarella said Sunday while stressing that Italy firmly supports Israel's right to exist in peace.
    "In deploring once again that brutal terrorist act, we share with emotion in the pain of the families of the victims and renew the appeal so that the people cruelly taken hostage with inhumane practices, are freed and can be reunited with their families", said the head of State in recalling the massacre by Hamas.
    "In this year the effects of that tragedy have multiplied, affecting innocent populations of the entire area, while serious and unacceptable resurgences of anti-Semitic sentiments are spreading, to be condemned and fought with determination", he added, also underlining that "Italy firmly supports Israel's right to its existence in peace and security and to defend itself from attacks, in compliance with international law and international humanitarian law." (ANSA).