Italy sending Gaza 1.65 mln euros in aid

(ANSA) - Rome, July 29 - 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.