Greece concerned over rising civilian deaths from Israeli attacks on Gaza

Greece is growing increasingly concerned over the rising number of civilian deaths from Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Responding in parliament to criticism by opposition parties and the public over the Israeli army's attacks on civilians and the government's policy regarding the conflict, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Israel's response should take into account international law and international humanitarian law, according to a statement issued Wednesday by the Prime Minister's Office.

Noting that the government he leads has placed a particular emphasis on the need for humanitarian corridors and humanitarian pauses to relieve the plight of civilians in Gaza, he added: "The images which are currently being broadcast by the media from Gaza are tragic."

"Thousands of people, (including) children, are losing their lives in attacks that have escalated beyond what one would expect to be seen as a reasonable response to an attack on Israel."

Maintaining that his government remains committed to a political resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the principle of a two-state solution, Mitsotakis noted that the government supports the creation of a Palestinian state that would not undermine the stability of Israel, with which Greece enjoys strategic relations.

The Israeli army has expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

More than 10,300 people have since been killed in the conflict, including at least 8,796 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis.

Besides the large number of casualties and displacement, basic supplies are running low for the 2.3 million residents of Gaza due to the Israeli siege.