Defense Minister Guido Crosetto cautioned against the possibility of an international operation in Gaza, noting that any Italian participation is contingent on a shared route at the coalition level. On the margins of a visit to the Italian force stationed in Novo Selo, Bulgaria, Crosetto stated that the situation on the ground remained exceedingly complex, even more difficult than that encountered in Afghanistan, and cited the costs suffered by Italy during that deployment, including military costs. According to the minister, Gaza remains far from peaceful: the conflict persists, subterranean armed infrastructure is still present, and multiple militias continue to engage in hostilities, resulting in a very high level of risk. Crosetto highlighted that there is currently no established operational strategy for an international stability force. Only when concrete proposals emerge, he added, will Italy be able to evaluate how and whether to participate.