On the other hand, the minister emphasized: “It is important to continue to work for the rapid release of the hostages, but also to increase aid in the Gaza Strip,” because “otherwise we run the risk of an even more devastating humanitarian catastrophe.” , the newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore points out today on its website.
In this sense, “we want to promote a coordinated humanitarian initiative called Food for Gaza,” Tajani said, recalling that the Italian government “has sent a total of 16 tons of basic supplies” since the beginning of this escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. with Air Force aircraft.”
On the other hand, in his speech about the international missions in which this country participates, he said: “We have allocated 20 million euros for humanitarian interventions in the Gaza Strip, especially for health and nutrition emergencies.”
Tajani expressed dismay at the events of February 29, when more than 100 Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli soldiers while receiving humanitarian aid in northern Gaza. This was “a massacre of defenseless civilians, which unfortunately complicated the ongoing ceasefire negotiations.”
“Italy calls for a prolonged and permanent pause in hostilities leading to a permanent ceasefire, as also called for in United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2712 and 2720,” something essential “to reduce regional tensions,” he added.
In an interview published last Monday by the newspaper La Stampa, the Italian Chancellor announced a new humanitarian initiative by his government to support the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip and called for a meeting to discuss this issue with “all” actors at the United Nations Center in Rome.”
Representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Program (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and other institutions are expected to attend the event. international.
The purpose is to offer the Palestinian victims in Gaza “much more than can be distributed by dropping food packages from planes,” as the United States suggests.
Tajani expressed to this news agency his hope that “Qatar, Egypt and the United States can convince the parties of a ceasefire before the start of Ramadan” and also stressed that Italy supports a permanent and sustainable solution to this conflict in the Middle East, the formula of two peoples, two states.
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