Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, has reaffirmed Italy’s dedication to the humanitarian cause in the Gaza Strip.
Tajani clarified that Italy’s stance “is appreciated by all international partners, as well as the Palestinian National Authority itself.”
He added that “all of this was also evident in the recent mission entrusted to Ambassador Pascal Ferrara in the West Bank and Israel,” as reported by the Italian news agency ANSA.
According to the minister, the current situation in the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli army launched a military operation, is taking on the characteristics of a humanitarian disaster.
Italy has consistently been on the frontline in providing assistance to civilians, evidenced by humanitarian flights carrying 16 tons of goods, numerous Palestinians treated aboard the Volcano ship, and dozens of children received in our top children’s hospitals.
Tajani further stated that “Italy has allocated €20 million for urgent humanitarian needs and mine clearance activities in the Gaza Strip,” including funds “also earmarked for a €2 million contribution to our civil society organizations, for use in new projects.”
Tajani announced that Italy will join the Greek-Cypriot initiative to establish a humanitarian maritime corridor towards the Gaza Strip.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the European People’s Party conference in Bucharest, Romania, Tajani said he had just informed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of “Italy’s commitment to a humanitarian maritime corridor to help save Palestinian lives.”
On another note, Tajani affirmed that Rome supports von der Leyen’s proposal to establish a Commissioner for Defense Affairs as part of the new executive arm of the bloc, which will be formed after the European parliamentary elections in June.
