Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the resumption of humanitarian aid deliveries to the besieged population.

“What is happening there is unjustified and unacceptable. Israel must stop these operations immediately,” Mr Mitsotakis said.

Raffirming Greece’s strategic alliance with Israel, the prime minister stressed that allies must also speak candidly.

“I have personally told Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu that the brutal attack on October 7 cannot justify military operations that cause disproportionate humanitarian suffering,” Mr Mitsotakis said.

Israel’s actions in the region are facing increasing international criticism, including from close allies, after the military ramped up air and ground operations.

Israel announced this week that it would begin allowing aid into territory after a nearly three-month blockade of food and supplies.

But the UN has expressed frustration with the scale and pace of deliveries, with aid lorries stuck at the border crossing or awaiting Israeli permission to distribute items.

The Israeli local media reports, citing the International Committee of the Red Cross, that Gazans began receiving items such as flour and baby food, and that a field hospital has received medical equipment.

“In close touch with the team in Gaza. Today will be crucial. Truckloads of lifesaving aid finally on move again,” UN aid chief Tom Fletcher posted on X.

On Tuesday, the United Kingdom suspended trade talks with Israel, sanctioned some West Bank settlers and summoned Israel’s ambassador to the UK.

Also on the same day, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the European Union intends to review its cooperation agreement with Israel in view of the situation in Gaza.

The current conflict began on October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian Islamist Hamas militia and others invaded Israel, killing 1,200 and taking some 250 hostages.

Israel responded with a massive attack, which has since killed more than 53,000 in Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority.

The figures do not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties, but international organisations such as the UN consider them to be largely credible. 

(dpa/NAN)