Him role of Greece as a reliable and honest mediator in Middle East highlights in an interview with the international news agency Reuters, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Gerapetritis. As the news agency points out in the cable interviewing the foreign minister, Greece has repeatedly condemned the October 7 attack by Hamas against Israel and believes that its historical ties to the Arab world give it credibility as an honest mediator.

One day after his contacts in Ramallah, with the Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al Maliki and the Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Staiyeh, and in Jerusalem with his Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen, Giorgos Gerapetritis emphasized that Greece is in constant communication with both parties and estimated that the talks on the opening of a humanitarian aid corridor in northern Gaza could yield results soon. “I am in constant communication with both parties and I am relatively optimistic that we could have some positive results soon,” he said. He also indicated that he believes Israel is considering allowing an increase in humanitarian aid and is willing to hear all possible options.

It is noted that shortly after the foreign minister’s interview, it was announced that Israel’s war council approved the dispatch of two tankers that will transport daily fuel to the Gaza Strip. The first fuel is expected to arrive today, via the Rafah border crossing.

Furthermore, Reuters notes that Cyprus has submitted a proposal, supported by Greece, to open a sea corridor to provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinians beyond the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. Another alternative is through a port in Israel and then a northern entry point into Gaza, he noted. “The fastest way is the best way” stressed Giorgos Gerapetritis, adding that the cessation of hostilities for humanitarian reasons is necessary.

At the same time, he underlined that Israel’s right to self-defense is respected, but must comply with international law and humanitarian values, while the Palestinian people must be clearly differentiated from Hamas. “We cannot tolerate the situation in Gaza,” the foreign minister said and recommended: “It is the humanitarian moral values ​​that we must all embrace, and we must do so immediately.”

After the war, Mr. Gerapetritis said, Gaza’s governance must be “highly legitimized” and opposed to terrorism.

Asked about a possible influx of refugees, he said that Greece is prepared, referring to the Asylum Pact agreed between European Union member states, and noted that it would be willing to accept injured people.

Finally, in the same telegram it is noted that the conflict in Gaza is another issue that differentiates Greece from Turkey. However, this should not hinder the dialogue, said Gerapetritis. “This should not prevent us from discussing our problems and putting some mutually beneficial plans on the agenda,” he said.