Premier Giorgia Meloni said Saturday
that Italy was preparing to take aid to the Gaza Strip via sea.
"I am in constant contact with (Defence) Minister (Guido)
Crosetto and our allies," Meloni told reporters in the Marche
town of Acqualagna.
"We have a multi-dimensional patrol vessel that is ready to
reach the waters off Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid.
"And we have two more frigates and an amphibious ship, if
needed, as well as field hospitals".
She said the release of the hostages Hamas took in its attacks
on Israel on October 7 was crucial to de-escalating the
situation.
"We hope there will be news (about the hostages), at one point
it seemed there was going to be," she said.
"News (on this front) would be very important to reach a
de-escalation".
She added that Italy was doing "painstaking work" on the
diplomatic level "with great responsibility and balance" within
the European Council and the UN.
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