From Palestine Chronicle Staff 
At least 10 sick and injured Palestinian children have reportedly arrived in Italy to be hospitalized, according to the Italian Ministry of Defense.
Children injured in the Israeli onslaught in the Gaza Strip were scheduled to be flown by military plane to Ciampino airport near Rome along with their families, Anadolu Agency reported.
In the report, the ministry said the children crossed the Rafah border into Egypt three days ago and were initially treated by Egyptian doctors at a local hospital.
at the Corso Operazione #Difesa Follow familiar transportation from Bambini, Palestine #Gaza Verso Ospedari Italiani.decorato da #egit Veribolo C-130J #Aeronautica Militare In Serrata, Italy, I enjoy Primi Bimbi Che Jungerano.ultimate party #navevulkano… pic.twitter.com/lNVhnyCiej
— Minister Difesa (@MinisteroDifesa) January 29, 2024
“I would like to express my gratitude to the Egyptian health authorities for their support, which made this humanitarian mission possible,” said Italian Defense Minister Guido Crossetto.
“It is only through international cooperation that we can meet such great challenges and guarantee the safety of the most vulnerable.”
In Italy, the children will be treated at “the most important children’s hospitals in Rome, including the Vatican-run Bambino Gesu,” Vatican News reported.
Arrival of C-130 air military operations in Bambini Palestine, Italy.Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Tajani Estelí #ANSA https://t.co/9rxgSrUdnx pic.twitter.com/1jeWXLowms
— Agenzia ANSA (@Agenzia_Ansa) January 29, 2024
further treatment required
Italy is the first European country to launch an international relief effort for victims of the war in Gaza, the report said.
“We have been cooperating intensively with the Israeli authorities, the Palestinian National Authority and the Egyptian authorities. That’s a promise we made.”
The report also said that Army General Francesco Paolo Figliolo said that “it will soon be the turn of the hospital ship Vulcano, currently docked on the Egyptian coast, to depart for Italy.”
Working in very good conditions #Gaza, Italian Sono Arrivati y Primi Bambini Palestinesi Che Verano Curati. Fans will enjoy meeting the Bambini in Palestine’s Feliti-O-Malati and join Procimidiol’s Portela Nernostro.
Monia Venturini pic.twitter.com/43fGei2UHL
— Tg1 (@Tg1Rai) January 30, 2024
The ship will set sail on January 31 with around 50 minors on board and will dock in the central port four to five days later, depending on where the children are hospitalized, Vatican News reported.
In February, airlifts will begin to transport other children currently hospitalized in Cairo to several hospitals in Italy.
“We will take everyone we can,” Filiulo asserted.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, 26,751 Palestinians have been killed and 65,636 injured in the Israeli massacre in Gaza, which has continued since October 7.
According to Palestinian and international estimates, the majority of casualties are women and children.
(PC, Anadolu)