Italy has suspended a defense agreement with Israel due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to an announcement by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The Italian government has criticized Israel's continued attacks on Lebanon in recent weeks—which Israel says are targeting the Iranian proxy group Hezbollah, despite a two-week ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
A defense agreement, which came into force in 2006, previously saw Israeli-Italian cooperation "enhance respective defense capabilities" through procurement, training, and "the import, export, and transit of defense and military equipment."
The agreement was subject to automatic renewal every five years, unless one of the parties withdrew.
"In light of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defense agreement with Israel," Meloni said during a visit to the Italian city of Verona.
Israel fired warning shots last week at Italian troops serving under a UN mandate in Lebanon, causing damage to a vehicle.