Rome, March 11 (RHC)-- Italian lawmakers who have recently visited the Rafah border in southern Gaza say an international reaction to avoid the aggravation of a humanitarian catastrophe in Rafah is desperately needed.

The lawmakers had left Italy for Egypt earlier this week intent on providing the Italian government with first hand testimony of the tragedy the Palestinians are experiencing as a result of Israel's crimes.

Italian MPs, who have recently returned from the Gaza Strip’s Rafah crossing, voiced deep concerns about the situation in the war-torn Palestinian territory.

Stefania Ascari, of the Five Star Movement, told reporters: "Israel's cruel actions in Gaza are based on a clear genocidal intent, refusing to allow water, food, medicine and humanitarian supplies, is equivalent to exterminating an entire population.  Palestine must be immediately recognized as a state and a reconstruction plan is urgently needed."

Italian lawmakers are demanding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, asserting that the Israeli massacre of civilians and children is no longer tolerable.

Nicola Fratoianni, from the Italian Left Party, said:  "We saw thousands of trucks waiting at the border with Rafah as famine is ravaging Gaza.  Trucks are not allowed to go through because Israel is stopping them. We are certain that a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding."

Another Italian lawmaker who recently traveled to Gaza said: "We have met Palestinian kids with their legs amputated in an Italian hospital in Cairo as Israel continues to commit crimes against humanity in Gaza.  There's only one person who should be held accountable for the situation there; Netanyahu and his regime."

So far, the Italian government has unrelentingly sided with the Israeli regime despite hundreds of pro-Palestine demonstrations having been held across Italy since the war began.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, a new demonstration was organized in Rome by a string of humanitarian organizations, charities and unions calling for an immediate end to Israel's genocide in Gaza.  The initiative is also calling on Italian institutions to protect the rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression and opinion in Italy.

Meanwhile, a demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians was also held in Milan.