At the instruction of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, a technical delegation organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Farnesina) carried out a mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah on October 20–21 to support the reconstruction of Gaza.
The mission brought together representatives from various branches of the Italian Government: in addition to the Farnesina and the Office of the Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister, participants included members from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Civil Protection Department, and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP).
In Ramallah, the Italian delegation met with representatives of the Palestinian National Authority, in particular Estephan Salameh, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, and Omar Bitar, Minister of Finance. As part of efforts to mobilize resources for reconstruction, meetings were also held in Jerusalem with representatives of the World Bank, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and other European Union institutions.
The delegation also met with Minister of Health Maged Abu Ramadan to discuss ongoing programs for the treatment of Palestinian children and patients. Discussions focused on the potential launch of innovative Italian-led projects in telemedicine, prosthetics, maternal and child health, and the deployment of doctors and medical equipment to strengthen healthcare in the region.
Further talks were held with United Nations representatives, key partners in humanitarian initiatives in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the crisis — including the “Food for Gaza” program, launched by Minister Tajani in March 2024, which the peace agreement recognizes among its twenty key priorities as central to post-conflict humanitarian response management. These issues were discussed in a meeting with Ramiz Alkbarov, UN Resident Coordinator in Jerusalem, attended also by local representatives of FAO, the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Among the topics discussed with the Palestinian National Authority—in view of President Abu Mazen’s upcoming visit to Italy in November—was the reconstruction support program for Gaza, announced last October following the Humanitarian Conference in Pescara, chaired by Minister Tajani. In particular, discussions focused on strengthening and expanding the program currently implemented by the Ministry of Planning in partnership with UNDP and the University of Architecture of Venice (IUAV).
The delegation also met with civil society organizations active in Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories, as well as Italian officials working with the European Union and United Nations agencies.
The mission identified several key priorities for recovery and reconstruction, including food security, physical and mental health, education, and the protection of women and children, alongside support for the private sector.
At the conclusion of the mission, part of the delegation will continue in the coming days with a visit to Jordan, to be led by Ambassador Archi, Special Envoy of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Reconstruction of Gaza.
Press Release – Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Farnesina)