During the Republic Day ceremony, President Sergio Mattarella issued a robust appeal to the international community, emphasizing the gravity of the Middle East crisis. "Reducing an entire population, from children to the elderly, to starvation is inhumane", stated the Head of State while speaking to the diplomatic corps at the Quirinale. Mattarella condemned the degradation of Palestinian Authority areas and reaffirmed the Palestinian people's right to a home within specific bounds. He also urged Israel to grant access to Gaza, criticizing the immorality of occupying other people's territories: "It cannot be presented as a security measure, otherwise we fall into the barbarism of the desire for dominance". At the same time, he recalled the tragedy experienced by Israel following Hamas’s attack, calling it “bloodthirsty,” and called for the immediate release of the hostages still being held. The President also voiced grave worry about the rise of anti-Semitism around the world, condemning all forms of hatred and discrimination. Finally, a plea to global responsibility: "Peace is not an ideal for naïve souls, but a concrete goal to be built". Mattarella reiterated the necessity of constructing a global order that is founded on reciprocal respect, dialogue, and collaboration in order to confront the significant challenges that humanity faces.