“It’s not an easy time,” added Tajani during the interview with Fox.

Tajani is in New York to take part in the United Nations General Assembly with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

“We have to achieve a ceasefire. As the G7, we are working hard [on this].

“Italy is working hard on the Food for Gaza project (to get aid to Palestinian civilians).

“Hamas has the greatest responsibility for this difficult situation.”

The minister added that the Italian government was achieving “good results” on reducing illegal migrant arrivals “because we are working with the North African countries”.

“This year we’ve had good results.

“We’re not against legal immigration, we are against illegal immigration.

“We must be strong to fight human traffickers and arms traffickers.”

ANSA