Italy will send 1.65 million euros
in aid to Gaza, Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini told the
Lower House Tuesday.
The funds are being donated following appeals from
international agencies and NGOs, and will be spend on medicine
and primary goods for the civilian population.
"As well, Italy contributes four million euros to the
United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) budget,
and two million euros to aid Palestinian refugees in Syria and
Lebanon," the minister told MPs.
Halting the now 22-day war between Israel and Gaza's Hamas
government is "imperative", Mogherini added.
''A truce is not, will not be decisive but it is the first,
indispensable step to stop weapons and start the negotiating
process. This is why we are all working so the sides will accept
a first, immediate and unconditional truce'', added Mogherini.
Israeli air strikes have killed at least 100 Palestinians
since midnight, including five entire families in the cities of
Khan Younis and Rafah, local sources told Haaretz newspaper.
Also on Tuesday, a senior Palestinian Liberation
Organization (PLO) official said all Palestinian factions have
agreed to declare an unconditional 24- or 72-hour humanitarian
ceasefire.
This was soon denied by the militant Hamas organization,
which said it will only hold its fire if Israel does.
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