A phone call took place yesterday between Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, ahead of the New York Conference on the situation in Gaza, scheduled from today until 30 July. Abdelatty will lead the Egyptian delegation, while Italy will be represented by Undersecretary Maria Tripodi. The conference will be organised into thematic groups: Egypt will co-chair, alongside the United Kingdom, the group on reconstruction and humanitarian assistance, while Italy, together with Indonesia, will co-chair the group on security. During the call, the two ministers discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the aims of the conference. Tajani expressed deep concern for the dire conditions of the civilian population in Gaza, reiterating Italy’s opposition to the forced displacement of Palestinians. He informed Minister Abdelatty that he had recently spoken with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, to whom he conveyed Italy’s position, underlining that the humanitarian situation in the Strip is unsustainable. In this context, Italy is prepared to strengthen its commitment through the Food for Gaza programme and continue contributing to the EUBAM Rafah mission, which plays an important role in facilitating the daily transit of the wounded and sick. Tajani welcomed Egypt’s proposal for the establishment of a non-militarised Palestinian state, presented by Minister Abdelatty as a contribution to the debate on the future of the region. He also reaffirmed Italy’s full support for the Egyptian plan for the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, adopted last March by the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.