RAFAH: Italian parliamentarians protested on Sunday in front of Egypt’s Rafah border crossing with Gaza, calling for aid access and an end to the war in the devastated Palestinian territory.
“Europe is not doing enough, nothing to stop the massacre,” Cecilia Strada, an Italian member of the European parliament, told AFP.
The group — including 11 members of the Italian parliament, three MEPs and representatives of NGOs — held signs reading “Stop genocide now,” “End illegal occupation” and “Stop arming Israel.”
“There should be a complete embargo on weapons to and from Israel and a stop to trade with illegal settlements,” Strada said.
The protesters laid toys on the ground in solidarity with Gaza’s children, who the UN warns face “a growing risk of starvation, illness and death” more than two months into a total Israeli aid blockade.
At least 15,000 children have been killed in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023, according to the United Nations.
Israel has faced mounting pressure to lift its aid blockade, as UN agencies warn of critical shortages of food, clean water, fuel and medicines.
It resumed its offensive on March 18, ending a two-month truce in its war against Hamas triggered by the Palestinian militant group’s October 2023 attack on Israel.
On Saturday Israel announced an expanded military campaign, killing dozens of people in new strikes.
“We hear the bombs right now,” Walter Massa, president of Italian non-profit organization Associazione Ricreativa Culturale Italiana, told AFP near the crossing.
“The Israeli army continues to do what it believes is right in the face of an international community that does not intervene, and in Gaza, beyond the Rafah crossing border, people continue to die,” he said.
UN chief Antonio Guterres said Saturday said he was “alarmed” at the escalation and called for “a permanent ceasefire, now.”
Italy’s government on Saturday reiterated its calls to Israel to stop attacking Gaza, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani saying: “Enough with the attacks.”
“We no longer want to see the Palestinian people suffer,” Tajani said.
Gaza’s health ministry said Sunday 3,193 people have been killed since Israel resumed its strikes on March 18, taking the war’s overall toll to 53,339.
Italian MPs protest at Egypt’s Gaza border against war
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Italian MPs protest at Egypt’s Gaza border against war
- The group — including 11 members of the Italian parliament, three MEPs and representatives of NGOs — held signs reading “Stop genocide now”
‘Negotiations with Iran have to happen,’ Steve Witkoff tells Arab News
- US special envoy to the Middle East: ‘If Iran goes, so the region goes’
DAVOS: Iran must come and sit at the diplomatic table, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff told Arab News on Thursday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“That has to happen. It’s important. If Iran goes, so the region goes, and so we have to get that straight,” the envoy said.
Since the outbreak of anti-government demonstrations, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged Iran’s leaders to halt the violent crackdown on protesters, vowing “very strong action” if executions go ahead. He has also called on Iranians to keep demonstrating and “take over institutions,” declaring that “help is on the way.”
Although Trump has so far stepped back from direct military intervention (at least since June’s attack on Iranian nuclear facilities), tensions remain high and a diplomatic breakthrough has proved elusive. On Tuesday, Davos organizers announced that the invitation to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had been rescinded, citing “the tragic loss of lives of civilians in Iran over the past few weeks.”
Araghchi condemned the move, accusing the forum of “blatant double standards” and of bowing to Western pressure. The decision came as the newly created Gaza peace board drew mixed reactions from governments already wary of further inflaming regional sensitivities.
Despite the fraught context, Witkoff insisted that the Middle East was moving in the right direction.
“I think it’s amazing what’s happening. Everybody is, I think, working together towards peace. Everyone’s bought into presidents Trump’s ideas about border peace, and I think I’m very hopeful.”
More than ten countries have reportedly signed on to the main “Board of Peace” (chaired by Trump), which carries a reported budget of $1 billion. Saudi Arabia has welcomed the initiative but as of Wednesday had not released any official statement.
European leaders in Davos appeared more skeptical, with France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni all reported to be weighing whether to decline the invitation.
Witkoff, alongside six others on the seven-member executive board (including Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner and Tony Blair), are expected to focus on diplomacy and investment while overseeing Gaza’s on-the-ground administration through the “Gaza Executive Board” and a national committee involving Palestinian technocrats.
Further announcements on participation are expected on Thursday following a fresh round of diplomatic maneuvering in Davos, as capitals weigh the board’s potential impact on existing UN-led efforts.
