Smoke rises after Israeli bombings in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Feb. 14, 2024. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)
Greece is deeply concerned about the escalation of tension in Gaza and its spread to the West Bank, South Lebanon, Syria and the Red Sea, as well as a possible spread of the attacks to Rafah.
ATHENS, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis called for an immediate and lasting cessation of hostilities in Gaza during a meeting with his Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Maliki here on Thursday.
"It is clear that the international community must react immediately and collectively ... The truce and peace in the region must be placed under the auspices of the United Nations," Gerapetritis said. "Diplomacy must succeed."
The two ministers discussed ways to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza and to stop displacements.
Greece is deeply concerned about the escalation of tension in Gaza and its spread to the West Bank, South Lebanon, Syria and the Red Sea, as well as a possible spread of the attacks to Rafah, Gerapetritis said.
Palestinians wait for relief food supplies in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Feb. 14, 2024. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)
He said Greece has expressed and will continue to express its position by actively participating in international forums and sending humanitarian aid to the region. On Wednesday, the country sent 20 tonnes of supplies by the Greek Red Cross to Gaza.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki condemned Israel's daily attacks and stressed the need for a political solution to end the crisis, let in humanitarian aid, and establish a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The military offensive launched by Israel following Hamas's attack has claimed the lives of 28,663 Palestinians in Gaza and wounded 68,395 others, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. About 1,200 people were killed by the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, according to official figures from Israel. ■
