Cilento: 75-year-old sells 400-year-old palace for Gaza aid

Eugenia Granito, 75, has listed her family palace in Rocca Cilento, southern Italy, for sale. The proceeds from the transaction will be donated to support children in Gaza. The property dates back nearly 400 years. Granito intends to use the funds to establish a hospital or another medical facility for the region.

The palace contains a private chapel dedicated to Saint Joseph, documented since 1751. The grounds include walnut and cherry trees. A persimmon tree planted by Granito's father in 1949 to mark her wedding remains in the garden. The tree has stood for nearly eight decades. It serves as a physical link to the family's history. The sale is currently in progress. The transaction has not yet been completed.

Granito said she was deeply affected by images of injured children in Gaza. Reports of children undergoing amputations without anesthesia particularly disturbed her. She explained that she wanted the money to reach those in greatest need. In Gaza, children are currently dying from the cold. Heavy rains have flooded tents used for shelter.

Granito requested that a representative from Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders, be present when the sale is finalized. She wants to discuss how the proceeds will be allocated. This ensures the funds are used for medical infrastructure. The presence of the NGO representative is a condition of the sale.

Francesco Pio Figliola, a real estate agent in the Cilento region, is handling the sale. He specializes in prestigious properties. He publicized the story on social media after being moved by Granito's decision. Figliola said he had never encountered a gesture like this despite working with many wealthy owners. His post helped bring attention to the sale.

Mohammed Hussein, a resident of Gaza, posted a video from a tent camp on November 8. He described the harsh conditions and flooded shelters. He asked for the video to be shared so the world could see the situation. He pleaded for intervention to save lives. The video highlights the current state of the humanitarian crisis.

Israel has placed restrictions on the entry of essential supplies. These restrictions have worsened the humanitarian crisis. Winter cold and inadequate shelter pose new dangers to survivors. Granito's donation is intended to help address these specific medical and shelter needs. The sale of the palace is a private transaction between the seller and a buyer. The donation of the funds is separate from the real estate contract.

Granito lives in the palace while it is on the market. The property is located in a historic part of southern Italy. The sale is expected to close in the coming months. The final amount of the donation depends on the agreed sale price. Granito will receive the proceeds and transfer them to the designated medical fund. The persimmon tree may remain in the garden after the sale, depending on the terms of the new ownership.