Italy on Monday sent a first batch of
humanitarian aid to Egypt for distribution through the Egyptian
Red Crescent to the suffering civilian population in Gaza.
An Italian military aircraft carrying the aid landed at Al Arish
airport near the Egypt-Israel border around 3 pm local time and
was met by the Italian ambassador to Egypt Michele Quaroni.
The aid, provided by the Italian foreign ministry, will be
handed over to the Egyptian Red Crescent for distribution in
Gaza via the southern Rafah border crossing.
It was the first of two scheduled humanitarian flights from
Italy in support of the Palestinian population in Gaza, which
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said is suffering extreme loss
and hardship as a result of the war triggered by the surprise
Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 and the Israeli retaliation.
Military navy vessels have also been readied to transport
further aid when the security situation allows, the minister
added.
"It is necessary to make a clear distinction between Hamas,
which is a dangerous terrorist organisation that aims to destroy
the State of Israel, and the fate, present and future, of the
Palestinian people who are suffering extremely heavy losses,"
the defence minister said.
"This is why the defence ministry is ready with all its assets
to do everything possible to assist the civilian population and,
as soon as possible, provide essential items, as well as to
evacuate foreign, Israeli and Arab civilians for health reasons
if necessary," said Crosetto.
The deployment of aid comes after Premier Giorgia Meloni
recently stressed the need to "combat a humanitarian crisis that
impacts defenceless civilians who bear no responsibility", and
Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani spoke of "a
moral mission" and the "need for humanitarian supplies from the
whole world, in sufficient quantity to live in dignity".
"At a time when a tragedy for humanity is taking place, it was
important to give a signal to those who are suffering the most
right now: the Palestinians who live in Gaza, children, men and
women who have nothing to do with Hamas, but who have to flee,
who have no food or medicine or a place to stay," Crosetto told
journalist Bruno Vespa during a pre-recorded interview for the
current affairs programme 'Cinque Minuti' (Five Minutes) on Rai
1.
"We were the first to move to help, together with Great Britain
and France, and I hope the race will be on around the world,"
Crosetto added.
In a separate interview earlier in the day, the minister also
reiterated that Italy is working all-out "through the efforts of
all members of the government" to bring about a de-escalation of
the Israel-Hamas conflict as soon as possible.
"It would be truly tragic if the current war, starting from
Israel's understandable reaction and consequent military ground
counteroffensive, inflamed the Islamic world and triggered a new
war between the West and Islam," concluded Crosetto.
On Sunday morning the Hamas-led health ministry in Gaza said
over 8,000 people had been killed in the enclave since the
outbreak of war with Israel .
Of these, half of the victims were said to be children.
Tel Aviv has said 1,400 Israeli citizens have died since October
7, including civilians and military personnel.
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