Italy welcomes Israel-Hamas hostage deal

(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 22 - Italy welcomes the deal between Israel and Hamas for the release of 50 civilian hostages in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a four-day ceasefire, Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Wednesday.
    "The government welcomes the agreement for the release of 50 hostages who, after seven long weeks, will be able to embrace their loved ones again," wrote Tajani on X, formerly Twitter.
    "Now it is necessary to ensure that the pause in the fighting is used to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians" in the Gaza Strip, added Tajani.
    The foreign minister was echoed by Premier Giorgia Meloni, who welcomed "with great relief the agreement to secure the release of the hostages taken by Hamas during the bloody assault against Israel on October 7".
    It is, she said, an agreement "that will also allow a much-needed humanitarian pause in Gaza".
    Meloni said Italy would "continue to work for the release of all the hostages and for a lasting peace in the Middle East".
    "Today are thoughts are with the families who will at last be able to re-embrace their loved ones," she concluded. (ANSA).