Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday condemned Israel’s latest military operations in Gaza as “unjustifiable and unacceptable,” urging the country to halt its offensive to allow the delivery of food and medical aid to civilians in the besieged enclave.
“I have no hesitation in saying that what has been happening in Gaza in recent days is unjustifiable and unacceptable. Israel must stop these operations,” Mitsotakis told Skai Radio. “The supply of humanitarian aid and medicine must be restored.”
His remarks came a day after thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the Greek Parliament in Athens to protest the ongoing violence in Gaza.
Dozens of Palestinians, including children, were reported killed in a fresh Israeli offensive on Wednesday, according to local health officials cited by media outlets.
Under growing international pressure, Israel has permitted a limited number of aid trucks to enter Gaza after nearly three months of blocking access to food, fuel, and medicine. However, many of the trucks remained stalled at the Kerem Shalom crossing, the Associated Press reported.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has triggered mounting criticism of Israel, including from the United Kingdom, which this week suspended free trade talks with Israel. The UK, Canada, and France have also pledged joint measures aimed at ending the conflict, according to the AP.
Responding to domestic criticism that his centre-right government has been too cautious on the issue, Mitsotakis said Greece had taken a clear stance in favour of an immediate ceasefire.
“We are by no means silent,” he said. “We have a duty to speak hard truths to our allies. I have conveyed this truth directly to the leadership of Israel. If we are to play the role of a bridge-builder, we will do so through meaningful and persistent diplomacy.”