Under strong security measures, the Peace Summit in Cairo began at 12:00 noon, on the subject of developments in the Middle East and the risks arising for the region.

‘The convening of the Summit is correct. The moments are critical for the region”, stressed Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in his intervention.

“The key message we need to send today is that we all condemn terrorism in all its forms. We mourn the loss of life and harm to innocent civilians from the violence in Israel and Gaza following the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas. There are innocent victims on both sides. There are citizens who are being held hostage and there can be no peace talks until they are released”, he said while making special reference to the bombing of the hospital in Gaza, the citizens who were brutally killed and tortured or murdered in their homes in Israel.

The Greek Prime Minister reiterated the positions of Athens. “Israel has a right to self-defense, but in accordance with international law”, he said. “In war, there are limits to the harm you can cause. Collective punishment is prohibited by the laws of war. And this legislation is designed to ensure the limits of the harm we can inflict on other people even when a war is going on”.

“Hamas is a terrorist organization. It’s not the Palestinians. The Palestinian people do not deserve this. President Abbas who represents the Palestinian Authority has bravely stood against violence since the beginning of the crisis”, he added.

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The Prime Minister made the release of the hostages a priority and warned that there was a risk that the tension would escalate. At the same time, he welcomed the opening of Rafah, to give humanitarian aid to Gaza. “We will contribute to every effort for peace and humanitarian aid”, he said. The Prime Minister emphasized that “the efforts of our country are being coordinated with those of its European partners within the EU, that we are ready to contribute to peace initiatives, we hope as a neighboring country that de-escalation can be achieved and that humanitarian aid can be provided to all citizens”.

“No military intervention can replace a viable political solution,” the Prime Minister concluded.