The Italian Naval ship Vulcan arrived in the northern port of La Spezia on Monday carrying 18 Palestinian children in need of medical care, including an infant born on the ship in December.
The infant’s mother was accompanying her daughter, injured in fighting in Gaza, and notified personnel of her pregnancy.
“In 24 hours, the woman delivered. Everything went really well, and it was a great experience,″ said Maita Satori, a midwife aboard the ship.
In some cases, the children sustained severe injuries and are unable to walk, but authorities said all are in stable and not life-threatening condition.
The children will be treated at hospitals in Bologna, Florence, Genoa and Rome, while family members who accompanied them will be provided a place to stay by the Sant-Egidio charity.
This was the second of four planned arrivals of a total of 100 Palestinian children who will receive medical treatment in Italy.
“It was moving to see civilian people, mothers and children mostly, because they people we have taken care of are mostly children and women, to see in their eyes both the terror for what they lived but also the joy during the time the spent on board,” said Admiral Aurelio De Carolis, commander in chief of the Italian naval fleet.
“Everybody made an effort not only for medical assistance but also make them feel at home and give them hope for the future.”
