Italy on the front line for Gaza, the government's commitment to the humanitarian program continues: 14 Palestinian children will receive oncological treatment in Italian hospitals 

A group of 14 Palestinian children with cancer have arrived in Italy to receive life-saving treatment, within the framework of the Italian Government's humanitarian assistance programs. An operation made possible thanks to the ccollaboration between Civil Protection, Farnesina Crisis Unit and Israeli authorities, with the aim of ensuring healthcare to those who need it most. 

A group of Palestinian children with cancer who will be treated in Italy arrived in Ciampino yesterday evening, Thursday 13 February, within the framework of the Italian Government's humanitarian assistance programs for the Palestinian population. From Rome, Milano and Pisa with the coordination of the Crisis Unit, the children They will then be transferred to the assigned hospitals by ambulance made available by the Civil Protection.

The request for evacuation from Gaza and the hope for a reception of sick minors in Italy had also been formulated by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, on the occasion of Minister Tajani's visit to Israel last February 6.

Furthermore, it was fundamental, the collaboration of the Israeli authorities to enable the evacuation of children and their families to Egypt. In this sense, the'The Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv, in agreement with the Crisis Unit of the Farnesina and the Consulate General of Italy in Jerusalem, has maintained constant contact with COGAT (Israeli army unit responsible for coordinating government activities in the Palestinian Territories) to allow the 14 young patients and their companions to leave the Strip so that they could be transferred for treatment in Italy.

The initiative is part of the larger “Food for Gaza” program, thanks to which the'Italy has been at the forefront of its humanitarian commitment since the early stages of the crisis in the Middle Easte. At the last meeting of the Food for Gaza Roundtable chaired at the Farnesina on 22 January by Minister Tajani, it was decided to broaden the scope of the initiative by also involving Italian university hospitals, starting with the health sector. Specific priority attention was also given to the issue of medical evacuations from the Strip of sick children, together with their families, to be treated in Italy.

On the occasion of Tajani's last mission to Israel on February 6 for the arrival at the port of Ashdod of 15 trucks destined for distribution operations in Gaza and a further 15 tons of humanitarian aid, the head of the Farnesina was accompanied by Minister Annamaria Bernini and a medical team to explore synergies in the health field.

Italy is committed to broadening the focus of its initiatives towards the reconstruction of Gaza, starting from the health sectoror, and further possibilities of collaboration with some important medical institutions in our country are being explored.

The Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, declared: “Italy continues to demonstrate its humanitarian commitment with facts. Once again, we are doing everything possible to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population of Gaza, with concrete and timely action. Every child we bring to Italy is a sign of hope, a commitment to life and the future. I want to express my deep gratitude to all the Defense personnel, the MAECI, the Civil Protection and the health workers who made this complex and delicate operation possible. Italy confirms its role as a country that helps, supports and protects those in difficulty”.

This initiative demonstrates Italy's concrete commitment to facilitating access to healthcare for the most vulnerable. and in contributing to the stabilization of the region. In this context, the recent EUBAM-Rafah mission takes place, in which our country participates with a contingent of Carabinieri at the Rafah border crossing to coordinate and facilitate the daily transit of the wounded and sick.

The activity is added to the humanitarian initiatives already implemented by Italy in favor of the Palestinian population, including the joint operation with Jordan, called "A bridge for Gaza“, with the transport of humanitarian aid through the air assets of the Italian and Jordanian Armed Forces, the sending of humanitarian aid through the Cyprus Maritime Corridor and the health care provided by the Italian Navy's ship Vulcano.