Italy
Practice relating to Rule 66. Non-Hostile Contacts between the Parties to the Conflict
Italy’s IHL Manual (1991) notes that specific agreements to be executed on the battlefield may be concluded by parlementaires.
Italy’s LOAC Elementary Rules Manual (1991) provides:
Local interruptions of combat and other arrangements can be concluded between opposing forces. At lower levels, such arrangements can be very simple and concluded orally: voice, radio, bearer of a white flag (flag of truce). At higher levels and for longer lasting interruptions of combat, written agreements shall be concluded.
Italy’s LOAC Elementary Rules Manual (1991) recognizes the “white flag (flag of parlementaires used for negotiations and surrender)”.
Italy’s Combatant’s Manual (1998) states:
Parlementaires, i.e. those who request to meet with the Commanding Officer of the enemy unit to discuss a ceasefire or to surrender, are protected by the “White flag”.
IT IS PROHIBITED to deceive the enemy by raising a white flag and then opening fire.
IT IS PROHIBITED to carry out any act of violence against Parlementaires and their escort, unless they carry out a hostile act first.

[emphasis in original]
Italy’s IHL Manual (1991) defines a parlementaire as:
a person authorized by a military belligerent authority to enter into direct communication with the enemy; the scope of his powers is usually to conclude specific agreements to be executed on the battlefield. The parlementaire … must advance bearing a visible distinctive sign consisting of a white flag.
The manual adds that the authorization for a parlementaire to enter into negotiations must be in writing.
The manual further emphasizes the importance of the use of parlementaires in the context of peacekeeping operations, not only for the safeguard of human life, but also to prevent or rapidly put an end to possible incidents, especially those involving the use of arms.
Italy’s Combatant’s Manual (1998) states: “Parlementaires, i.e. those who request to meet with the Commanding Officer of the enemy unit to discuss a ceasefire or to surrender, are protected by the ‘
White flag’”.
Italy’s Law of War Decree (1938), as amended in 1992, defines a parlementaire as “a person authorized by military authority to enter into direct communication with the enemy. The parlementaire must be provided with a document proving his status and powers and must advance with a white flag.”
Italy’s IHL Manual (1991) provides a parlementaire must be received, unless particular circumstances do not permit it. However, it can be declared that no parlementaires will be received for a certain period of time. Such a policy may also be adopted as a reprisal measure.
Italy’s Law of War Decree (1938), as amended in 1992, stipulates: “The commander of the operating force is not obliged to receive a parlementaire in all circumstances.”