"We also talked about the Middle East. Following the events of October 7, the situation remained severe, with Hamas still holding hostages in an intolerable manner. It's an increasingly unacceptable and unfortunate scenario". Sergio Mattarella, the President of the Republic, made this statement during a joint press conference with Nataša Pirc Musar, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, during an official visit to Slovenia. "What is happening in Gaza is unacceptable", Mattarella emphasized, "an entire population is starving, in a situation that the international community and individual consciences cannot accept. Nor is it acceptable to intend to expel a population from its land or to occupy territories of the future Palestine in the West Bank, making a definitive political solution in that region impossible – a solution that would benefit everyone, including Israel’s security".