Italy is participating in the attempt to open a maritime corridor for the provision of humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip, said the European Commission in a statement today. This is an initiative, called "Amalthea", in which Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, the Republic of Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States participate.

"After they have undergone security inspections according to Israeli standards, we will continue to allow the entry of humanitarian aid for the inhabitants of Gaza, based on international law and in coordination with the United States and our allies around the world", was the comment of the spokesperson of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Lior Haiat.

The European Commission said that "Cyprus will soon convene senior officials to discuss how to accelerate this maritime channel to support those in need, integrating land and air routes, including from Egypt and Jordan". For their part, "the US has announced an emergency mission led by the US military to establish a temporary pier in Gaza, in coordination with humanitarian partners and other countries".