Italy’s defense minister urges Israel to respect Palestinian civilians’ right to life

By Giovanni Legorano

ROME (AA) - Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto urged Israeli authorities to respect the right to life of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, after meeting his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv on Friday.

“Italy has always been a friend of Israel and continues to be so at this difficult period of crisis and during these dark hours,” said Crosetto in remarks circulated by his office.

“Today I also expressed my concerns and the clear urge to respect the right to life of the Palestinian civilian population, understanding that the fight against Hamas will end when it becomes innocuous militarily.”

Crosetto also said he hopes the humanitarian pause between Israel and Hamas will last not only for four days but for many more until all the roughly 236 hostages are released.

He also said that Italy is striving to provide all the humanitarian aid it can to the population of Gaza, such as a hospital on an Italian Navy ship that has already been sent to the area. It also plans to build a field hospital in Gaza when conditions allow its construction, the Italian defense minister added.

Gallant thanked the Italian minister for what Italy is doing, saying it is a concrete sign of solidarity and friendship to Israel at a crucial moment, according to the Italian Defense Ministry statement.