ROME (ITALPRESS) – The joint operation ‘Air Bridge for Gazà was successfully concluded, through which over 10 tons of materials intended for the Palestinian civilian population were transported.?
The operation, which began last January 28 with the participation of personnel and air assets from Jordan and Italy, made it possible to provide the population of the Gaza Strip with basic necessities, powdered milk, medicines and personal hygiene products.
The Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, declared: “This initiative is a further demonstration of the attention and commitment of the Government, the Defense Ministry and Italy towards the civilian population of Gaza. Concrete help to bring hope to those who live in extremely difficult conditions, to those who continue to suffer the drama of war. There is still a lot to do, and Italy is committed on multiple fronts to put an end to these atrocities”.
The humanitarian initiative is the result of the joint commitment of the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, and His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan.
The operation was coordinated by the Joint Top Operational Command (COVI) and made possible thanks to the Levante Defense Task Force, operating from the King Abdullah II air base in Zarqa in Jordan. The crews of the Army’s NH-90 helicopters, belonging to Task Group Griffon deployed in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, have operated since January 28 together with 14 Jordanian UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Furthermore, an Air Force C-130J aircraft was made available by the Defense Ministry to ensure supplies and the transport of spare parts for the helicopters for the entire duration of the operation.
This mission adds to the numerous initiatives promoted by Italy to support the population of Gaza, such as the healthcare provided by the Military Navy’s ship ‘Vulcanò and the transfer to Italy of Palestinian children in need of hospital care on board military aircrafts, the last of which landed at Ciampino airport on 13 February with 45 people, including children and carers, coming from the Gaza Strip and in need of medical assistance.
– Photo Defence Ministry press office –
(ITALPRESS).
