On December 24, 2024, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani held a phone conversation with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, regarding humanitarian efforts in Gaza. This discussion followed the recent delivery of 20 tons of Italian aid to Gaza, which included food and medical supplies, facilitated by cooperation from Israeli, Jordanian, and Palestinian authorities.
The initiative, named 'Food for Gaza,' aims to provide substantial support to the Palestinian population and has been operational since March 2024. It serves as a permanent technical table involving the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Tajani emphasized that the program has received full backing from both Palestinian and Israeli sides, as well as from G7 countries. During the G7 Development Ministers' meeting in October, Tajani organized a humanitarian conference in Pescara, announcing additional funds for humanitarian activities in Gaza.
In a related diplomatic effort, a delegation from the Italian Foreign Ministry is currently in Damascus, engaging with new transitional authorities. Tajani reiterated Italy's commitment to protecting civilians and minorities, including Christians, in the region, while assessing the sincerity of peace and tolerance declarations from the new Syrian government.