The Greek Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, stressed that the recent “ceasefire and hostage release agreement in Gaza was an excellent example of what can be achieved with political will.” Nevertheless, he expressed serious concern about the “continuation of hostilities in Gaza” and the growing number of casualties, calling on all sides to “show restraint and restart ceasefire talks.”

Greece reaffirmed its condemnation of the “Hamas terrorist attack” on October 7, 2023, and called for the “immediate and unconditional release” of the hostages. Shekeris stressed that Palestinians in Gaza are going through a second harsh winter, with conditions described by Fletcher as “almost beyond our understanding.”

Greece calls on Israel to “allow and facilitate the safe, unconditional, massive and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid” and to restore “access to electricity and water” in accordance with international humanitarian law.

It was stressed that “UNRWA’s role remains crucial and irreplaceable”, while special reference was made to support for Cyprus’ Amalthea maritime humanitarian corridor and the reception of “ten children and their families from Gaza” for medical treatment in Greece.

Shekeris also expressed concern about “increasing settler violence in the West Bank” and the volatile situation in Jenin.

Greece, he said, is calling for a “permanent ceasefire” for the reconstruction of Gaza and the release of all hostages.

Sekeris said Greece’s support for the “Arab proposal presented by Egypt” and noted that any plan should not include a role for Hamas, that Hamas will never pose a threat to Israel’s security and should “ensure Israel’s security” and “not provide for the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.”

“For this to happen, however, the Palestinian Authority must be supported financially and institutionally and Greece remains committed to providing assistance in this direction,” he stressed.

Displacement, he said, would “undermine the stability of the region” and jeopardize the two-state solution.

Greece pledged to support the Palestinian Authority and reiterated its support for “the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state based on the two-state solution in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions.”