According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency and the Italian magazine Tazbao, Italy has chosen to act differently by involving its military in a humanitarian mission. On August 9, its army and air force will carry out Operation Route 2 as part of efforts to deliver aid to Gaza’s population.
This unexpected move from Rome comes despite its refusal to recognize Palestine as a state while expressing sympathy for the suffering of Palestinian civilians. This stance reflects a broader context visible in other European responses. Slovenia, Italy’s neighbor, made history recently as the first European country to halt arms trade with Israel. Meanwhile, eleven countries stand ready to recognize Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September: andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Malta, new Zealand, Portugal, San Marino.
If warnings from David Lammy and Keir Starmer succeed politically, this list may grow with Britain joining them-raising it to twelve countries. hamas has also declared that it will not lay down arms until such recognition is achieved.
Despite knowing that the current Palestinian Authority faces multiple challenges-including lack of institutions or military forces and a devastated economy-this government remains one without effective sovereignty or autonomy. Blockaded from land, airspace-and sea-the area’s residents would be forced into dependence on international aid while living under conditions described as a “two-state prison.”
