Peace should prevail in response to crimes in Syria

"Over and above the response to crimes [in Syria], we need to work for peace," Paolo Gentiloni was quoted as saying by the Italian news agency ANSA about a suspected chemical attack in the city of Douma in the Eastern Ghouta suburb of Damascus on April 8 that killed dozens of people.

Forces of the Bashar al-Assad regime struck targets in Douma using a toxic gas which left at least 78 civilians dead, according to the Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets.

On Feb. 24, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution which called for a month-long ceasefire in Syria -- especially in Eastern Ghouta -- to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Despite the resolution, the Assad regime last month launched a major ground offensive backed by Russia aimed at capturing Eastern Ghouta’s last opposition strongholds.

Last month, a UN commission of inquiry released a report accusing the regime of committing war crimes in Eastern Ghouta, including the use of chemical weapons against civilians.