The Italian government recently carried out two operations, evacuating 152 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. The airlift involved numerous partners, noted the Italian government on September 30. Those evacuated arrived on October 1.
The two operations bringing Palestinian refugees from Gaza to Italy "confirm the constant commitment of the Italian government to provide humanitarian assistance and to protect human lives in such dramatic crisis contexts, such as Gaza," stated a press release from the Italian government.
The evacuation mission was described as "complex and complicated." The Italian government underlined that they remain on the "frontline in favor of peace and stability, and will continue to work with determination to alleviate the sufferance of the populations hit by conflicts and guaranteeing the full respect of human rights and the release of the hostages in Gaza."
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Coordination with institutions and various partners
The Italian government, undertook a complex and articulated evacuation mission, which was coordinated by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and the Defense Ministry, successfully completing two separate operations to bring Palestinian refugees from Gaza to Italy.
The missions were realized in partnership and support of the Intelligence services, as well as international and local partners.
"With the first mission, in close coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO), Italy provided for the evacuation of another 80 Palestinian citizens, among them sick children and those accompanying them.
The government said the evacuation was strictly a health and medical operation, and was made possible via an airlift.
The evacuation -- explained the statement-- took place from the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing to Israel. Once the group arrived at the Israeli airport of Ramon, the group was put on three separate C-130 transport aircrafts provided by the Italian Military.
Those on board the flights were then distributed between authorities in "Rome, Verona, Pisa, and Lecce, where the healthcare staff and competent authorities are already providing the necessary assistance."
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The operation took place between September 28-29
An additional evacuation operation was launched during the night of September 28 and 29. This involved a group of 72 Palestinians, among these noted the government were "students and people reuniting with their families."
This operation took place "near the Shuhada Al Aqsa hospital, located in Deir Al-Balah, in the heart of the Gaza Strip. Despite the violent clashes in the area, the Italian staff assisted the group once it exited the Karem Shalom pass. After this, a transfer to Jordan took place, where the group was taken into custody by the local staff at the Italian Embassy. The 72 evacuated Palestinians arrived in Italy on October 1 on two flights made available by the Italian Tax and Border Police (Guardia di Finanza) and the Civil Protection authorities."
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