Minister Crosetto visits Israel

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Defence Minister Guido Crosetto met his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, in Tel Aviv. At the end of the meeting Minister Crosetto underscored: ”for Italy, for our Government and for me as a minister, Italian citizen and human being, it is important to show our friendship and closeness to Israel through our presence and by disseminating our ideas, our concerns, our vision. And I’m saying that especially because I happen to be here on a day like today. Finally a bright day, after so many dark ones, when Israeli children who have been captive of Hamas will start to come back to their homes. A day which saw Italy as a protagonist, shoulder to shoulder with other countries, thanks, first of all, to the commitment of Prime Minister Meloni and all of us. I hope that the truce will last more than four days, but will be extended to six, eight, ten, twenty, until all 240 Israeli hostages will be back to their homes and families. Italy has always been and will continue to be a friend of Israel, expressing its solidarity with this country at this time of hardship and crisis, at these dark hours. Today I have also expressed my concerns and my clear invitation to respect the lives of Palestine’s civilian population, while understanding that the fight against Hamas will end when its military faction will be rendered harmless. Italy is already working to provide assistance, and has sent humanitarian aid and a Navy hospital ship , Vulcano, with personnel from all the Armed Forces and equipped with cpapbilities and means able to provide concrete aid to the civilian population. A field hospital i salso ready and can be delivered immediately. Our aircraft are engaged in urgent transportation of patients in imminent life danger or severely ill. But, while underscoring that ongoing agreements between nations could allow us to establish a field hospital in the Gaza Strip, thus providing aid to the Palestinian civilian population, let me also reiterate my closeness to, and friendship with Israel, not only in words.

At the same time, I would like to underscore our availability to fully support every requirement and help resolve humanitarian, diplomatic, political and material issues that may affect the Palestinian people. We must work together to build a future of coexitence and pece”.

The Israeli Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, thanked Minister Crosetto for all Italy is doing and for visiting Israel, sending a concrete signal of friendship and solidarity at this crucial moment.