The Flotilla calls for 'a permanent aid corridor to Gaza'. Tajani: asked Israel to guarantee Italian security
Since the beginning of the conflict in Gaza, Italy has initiated various forms of support for the Palestinian civilian population. Humanitarian assistance with food and medical aid; transfer of critically ill patients, especially minors, to Italy
by Andrea Carli
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Key points
4' min read
The Sumud Flotilla goes ahead despite a few defections and at least for the moment the destination does not change, it is aimed at the Strip. In the last few hours, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto met with the activists and reiterated that if they decide to force Israel's naval blockade, the risks will be high and difficult to manage. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni heard from US President Donald Trump, addressing the situation in the Middle East and Gaza in particular. In the same hours, the Italian Ambassador to Israel, Luca Ferrari, was received by the President of the Republic, Isaac Herzog.
"We are 300 miles from the Strip, in 2 days we will be in the interception zone and in 3 in Gaza". This was explained by Tony Lapiccirella, one of the Italians on board the Global Sumud Flotilla. "The mission is directed to Gaza: it is the only way to open a permanent humanitarian channel," he stressed, "We have never considered stopping in Cyprus or other changes in the route. As for the risks of arriving in the interception zone: 'Under international law, there are no risks. Any danger is related to Israeli violence that governments still allow to go beyond international law'..
The spokeswoman of the Italian delegation of Global Movement to Gaza, Maria Elena Delia, just returned to Italy and spoke on the phone with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reiterating: "We are moving forward, but there is willingness to work on a solution for a permanent aid corridor to Gaza".
Crosetto: 'I would sign for only arrests'
.I take it for granted that, if nothing more happens, the activists will be arrested: this seems to me to be the minimum. I would put my signature for the arrest to happen without any other consequence. I hope that tonight there will be something positive in the dialogue between Israel and Palestine, thanks also to the intervention of Trump and others. May we achieve the truce and thus change what the Flotilla was proposing to do'. Thus the Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto, to Cinque Minuti.
Pd MPs: 'If alt from Idf we will stop'
"We don't want to force blockades but to bring aid, those who are in illegality are Israel when they attack in international waters. But at Israel's halt we will stop. I don't think any of the boats want to force the blockade, because this is a peaceful and non-violent mission: these are the rules of engagement from the beginning. The blockade is illegal and I ask the government to take action so that the blockade is lifted'. So said Arturo Corrato, MP for the Democratic Party, speaking on behalf of the crew of the ship Karma, which is part of the Sumud Flotilla, and on which the Dem MEP Annalisa Corrado also sails, who added: "We will continue despite the alert from the Italian Navy and, as long as we are in international waters, there will be no stop signals from other nations such as Israel, we will go ahead"..
