Greece presses for Gaza reconstruction led by Palestinians and reiterates two-state support

Kiryakos Mitsakis told the General Assembly that the Gaza peace plan reached last year must be implemented and that reconstruction should proceed with Palestinians taking ownership of Gaza's future. He said Hamas must give up arms and 'can have no role' in Gaza's future.

"It is of paramount concern to ensure that Hamas surrenders its arms. It can have no role, I repeat, no role in Gaza's future," Mitsakis said. He also emphasized that reconstruction must proceed with Palestinian leadership and reiterated Greece's support for a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security.

Mitsakis added that developments in the West Bank that violate international law and undermine the prospects for a Palestinian state cannot be allowed to continue, arguing such actions are also contrary to Israel's long-term security. He urged sustained diplomatic efforts—citing U.S.-facilitated negotiations concerning Lebanon as an example of negotiation efforts that should be continued.

Why it matters: The remarks frame Greek foreign policy as seeking both Israel's security and Palestinian sovereignty, and they underscore the Greek position that durable peace requires both disarmament of militant groups and Palestinian-led reconstruction.