Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto announced on Wednesday that Italy is set to send a hospital ship close to the coast of Gaza to provide vital medical assistance to victims of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Departing from the western Italian port of Civitavecchia on the same day, the hospital ship will carry a team of 170 staff, including 30 individuals specially trained for medical emergencies.
In addition to the hospital ship, Italy is actively working on deploying a field hospital to Gaza to enhance medical capabilities on the ground.
Crosetto also suggested that the two Italian naval vessels already stationed in the region are likely to remain in place.
Addressing reporters, he stated, “We will evaluate whether to keep them in the area, but I prefer to keep three ships there and not to have any regrets.”
This initiative by Italy comes in response to the urgent humanitarian needs arising from the conflict, aiming to provide critical medical support to those affected.
The G7 foreign ministers, including Italy, collectively advocated on Wednesday for humanitarian pauses in the Israel-Hamas conflict, emphasizing the importance of facilitating the entry of aid and aiding in the release of hostages.
Italy’s deployment of a hospital ship underscores its commitment to addressing the immediate medical needs of the conflict-affected population in Gaza.
