Meloni says she and ministers reported to ICC over Gaza conflict

ITALIAN Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has revealed that she and several senior government figures have been reported to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged complicity in genocide related to Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza.

Speaking during an interview with state broadcaster RAI on Tuesday, Meloni said the case had also named Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. She added that “I think” Roberto Cingolani, chief executive of the defence conglomerate Leonardo, had also been reported.

Reuters reported Meloni saying today: “I don't believe there is another case like this in the world or in history,” expressing surprise at the complaint. She did not specify who had filed the report to the ICC.

Italy has witnessed large-scale protests in recent weeks, with hundreds of thousands demonstrating against the high civilian death toll in Gaza and criticising Meloni’s government for its stance. While her right-wing coalition has historically been supportive of Israel, it has recently expressed concern over what it describes as a “disproportionate” military response.

Nonetheless, Rome has neither severed commercial or diplomatic ties with Israel nor recognised a Palestinian state.

Israel’s assault on Gaza was launched in response to the Hamas-led incursion on 7 October 2023, during which militants killed around 1,200 people and abducted 251 others, according to Israeli authorities.

Since then, over 67,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to local health officials. Israel has rejected all accusations of genocide.

Meloni insisted that Italy had not provided Israel with any new weapons since the conflict began. “Anyone who knows the situation is aware that Italy has not authorised new, let's say, arms supplies to Israel after October 7,” she said.

A spokesperson for Leonardo responded by referencing remarks made last month by Cingolani, who told *Corriere della Sera* that the accusation of complicity in genocide was “a very serious frame-up”.

Separately, Meloni commented on the war in Ukraine, stating her belief that former US President Donald Trump had concluded Russia was not pursuing a peace agreement.

“In the face of this refusal by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin ... the only way forward is to apply pressure, continue to support Ukraine, and to impose sanctions,” she said. - October 8, 2025