Italian aid for Gaza reaches Egypt. On Monday, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto announced on X that Rome had shipped the first humanitarian aid package to the Italian embassy in Cairo aboard an Air Force C-130. From there, the Red Crescent will deliver it into the conflict zone via the Rafah crossing. It all happens as Israel is expanding its ground operation within the Strip, as the conflict shows no sign of abating.
- A Thaon di Revel-class multi-purpose offshore patrol vessel had already been sent to Cyprus and can be quickly mobilised to reach Israeli and Gazan waters.
- Two other multi-mission frigates and an amphibious unit have been prepared to mobilise, as further humanitarian aid deliveries planned by the Ministry of Defence are expected in the coming days.
Why it matters. “It is necessary to make a clear distinction between Hamas, which is a dangerous terrorist organisation dedicated to the destruction of the State of Israel, and the present and future fate of the Palestinian people who, through no fault of their own, are suffering great hardship and tragedy. For this reason, the Ministry of Defence is prepared to do everything in its power to help the civilian population and to supply basic necessities and goods as quickly as possible, and to evacuate civilians, both foreigners and Israelis, as well as Arabs who request it for health reasons,” Minister Crosetto told the press.
- He recalled that Italy, “through the work of all its government representatives,” is working towards a de-escalation of the conflict. “However, it would be truly tragic if the ongoing war, starting with Israel’s understandable reaction and its consequent military counter-offensive on the ground, were to inflame the Islamic world and trigger a new war between the West and Islam.”
