“We welcome to Italy the 18 Palestinian children and their families, who arrived today in La Spezia, on board the Navy ship Vulcano. I would like to take this opportunity to greet and thank, on behalf of the Defence, the Qatari medical personnel who arrived in Italy today with Nave Vulcano, who have collaborated with us in recent months providing precious support on board. However, the tireless work of the Defense in favor of those in need does not end here. In the next few days, in fact, with a special Air Force flight, other Palestinian children from Egypt will be transferred to Italy. We have also given our willingness to build an Army field hospital to help the civilian population who are certainly not responsible for the war".
Thus the Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto in a note for the return of Nave Volcano and joint health personnel at the port of La Spezia.
“In recent months you have done an extraordinary job with passion and love, representing the best of Italy. Your sacrifice, the distance from your loved ones, is repaid by the thanks from the Italians and by the awareness of having written a beautiful page of history, as protagonists" - added Minister Crosetto, addressing the over 190 soldiers on board.
Ship Volcano has been moored in Egypt since early December to provide medical support to the wounded Palestinians who managed to reach the port of Al Arish. Last December 22, a 23-year-old mother gave birth to her little girl who she wanted to name Illin Italy as a sign of thanks for the help we received.
The patients will be transferred to the Rizzoli hospitals in Bologna, Meyer in Florence, Gaslini in Genoa and Bambino Gesù in Rome.
The first Palestinian children, with their carers, arrived in Italy on the military flight on 29 January.
