Defence Ministry: Telephone Call Between Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant

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Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant held a long telephone call today, in the afternoon. The Italian minister underscored: “Italy is a friend of Israel: that’s what we were when it suffered the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas, and what we are now, at this time of growing instability in the Middle east, which culminated Saturday night with the extremely serious attack by Iran, with the launch of hundreds of drones and missiles targeting Israel. An unprecedented attack, which, luckily, caused liimited damage, tank to the effectiveness of the Israeli anti-missile and air defence, and support received  from other countries which contributed to its defence. Today, in expresing my friendship to Minister Gallant, I have also reiterated my concern for possible developments in the Middle East region, already hardly tried”.

Then, Minister Crosetto added: “The crossing of a well-defined red line with this attack against Israel, on its territory, is unsettling. Regardless, this is exactly the time to show our maturity and act according to international law, to avoid fostering violence and prevent the situation from spiralling, i.e. the defeat for all of us. Italy will continue to provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people and foster the creation of the conditions to go back to the negotiating table in every possible way”.

Italy was among the first countries to provide aid to the Gaza Strip civilian population: first, Navy Ship Vulcano was sent there to function as a hospital and allow treating the sick and wounded. Then, 3 humanitarian flights were organized, to transport Palestinian minors neading medical treatment to Italian children’s hospitals. Within this context, the Parliament approved Operation Levante, which provides for using the Armed Forces for humanitarian interventions. This will provide security and offer a window of opportunity for diplomacy and peace.