The safety of humanitarian aid workers continues to be undermined daily, the Greek Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, stated on Friday referring to the recent deaths of UNOPS and UNRWA personnel.

He also expressed Greece's "sincere condolences" for the deaths of 15 aid workers during the Israeli operation in Rafah on March 23.

"We regret the circumstances that led the Secretary-General to take the difficult decision to reduce the UN presence in Gaza, despite the increased humanitarian needs and the growing concern for the protection of civilians," said Sekeris.

Greece "unequivocally condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas on 7 October," and demands "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages," he said, while noting that "it is the people of Gaza who are suffering from Hamas's intransigence and the resumption of Israeli operations."

Greece, he added, calls on Israel "to allow and facilitate the safe, unhindered and mass-scale entry of humanitarian aid," into Gaza and "to restore access to electricity and water," as well as ensuring "the protection of civilians and personnel," in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Sekeris also expressed "serious concerns" about the situation in the West Bank, where "violence, displacement of over 40,000 people, destruction of infrastructure and expropriation of Palestinian property," constitute "serious violations of international law."

Greece also "condemns the increase in settlement activities in the West Bank," he said, adding that such actions are contrary to international law and the relevant Security Council Resolutions and have no legal force.

"At the same time, the role of UNRWA remains crucial and irreplaceable. We are particularly concerned by the ongoing attacks on UN facilities, including yesterday’s attack on an UNRWA Health Centre in Jabalia, which caused several casualties, including nine children. International law explicitly declares the inviolability of UN facilities," Sekeris stated.

Greece calls for a "permanent ceasefire and a return to the negotiating table" while supporting a "a solution of two states that coexist in equality and security," and also welcomes the efforts of "Egypt, Qatar and the United States" for mediation and the upcoming "June Conference under the chairmanship of France and Saudi Arabia," as well as the "Arab Plan for the Reconstruction of Gaza."