Speaking to reporters at the Thessaloniki International Fair, Mitsotakis added that his country's strategic relations with Israel did not prevent it from harshly criticizing Israel for its military operations in Gaza, the human suffering they caused, and the large number of casualties.
Mitsotakis' remarks came as the Israeli occupation army intensified its assault on Gaza City, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have sought refuge after being forced to leave their homes in northern and eastern Gaza.
With the official declaration of famine in Gaza and Israel continuing its assault on the Strip, more European countries are announcing that they will recognize the State of Israel, or are close to doing so.
Since last March, Israel has imposed a strict blockade on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. It has closed the crossings and allowed in only extremely small amounts of aid, disproportionate to the Strip's needs. It has distributed the aid through "suspicious" organizations that are not affiliated with the United Nations. It has also opened fire on those waiting for aid, killing and wounding thousands.
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With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving 64,455 Palestinians dead, 162,776 injured, most of them children and women, more than 9,000 missing, hundreds of thousands displaced, and a famine that has claimed the lives of 387 Palestinians, including 138 children.
For decades, Israel has occupied Palestine and territories in Syria and Lebanon, and refuses to withdraw from these territories and establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, along the pre-1967 borders.
