was staring at, was gazing at
Non hai visto come lo fissava?
Didn't you see how she was staring at him?
— Crimini e misfatti (1989)
Tom fissava Mary con l'amore negli occhi.
Tom gazed at Mary with love in his eyes.
He stared straight ahead.
He stared at a UFO in silence.
He was staring at his hands.