An Italian air force plane took off on Saturday carrying more than 15 tons of humanitarian aid to be delivered to the population in Gaza, a defence ministry statement said, Paralel.Az reports citing Reuters.

The aid aboard the C-130J aircraft, which departed from the central Italian city of Pisa, had been collected by charity group Confederazione Nazionale delle Misericordie d'Italia, the statement said.

"Italy is doing and will continue to do everything possible to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza," said Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, adding Italy did not forget those who are suffering and was committed to a de-escalation of the conflict.