Capturing Malta is treated as a major unresolved obstacle in the successful-Italy scenario. Malta's situation differed from Crete's. Malta's organized defences and especially rocky ground would create serious problems for paratroopers. The doubt is whether Malta could be captured without wiping out the attacking force.
Notable Point · 3:25:44-3:26:24
Malta's defences and rocky ground complicate an airborne invasion
The comparison with Crete questions whether Italy could capture Malta without losing much of the force needed for later operations.