Europe is under obligation to host wounded and traumatized children from the war in Gaza for as long as it rages, Greece’s foreign minister George Gerapetritis told Reuters on Wednesday.
In what he sees as a plan for short term bringing of these kids to EU, Gerapetritis is looking for partners while noting that he had talked to the Palestinians’ Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa about this idea earlier this week.
“We have to face up to this tragedy very clearly,” says Gerapetritis. “Europe should be open not only to those injured in (Gaza) but also children who are now subject to famine or other types of dangers.”
Earlier in the month, Greece was elected as a member of the UNSC for 2025-2026 and Gerapetritis feels that historical bonds with the Arab world give the country credibility in its efforts towards peace.
The 56-year-old minister who has held his post for a year said that Greece or EU may host how many people but he said it was discussed with Palestinian authorities.
This step does not concern regular migration, which raises political concerns nowadays in Europe and is opposed by a rejuvenated right.
“This is an obvious call for humanitarian assistance. We’re not talking here about economic migrants or other forms of irregular migration,” he stated after extreme-right parties made huge gains in European Parliament vote.
Israel condemned Hamas militants’ October 7 attack, whereas demanding cessation of Israeli ground and air assaults on Gaza resulting in death of more than 35k people according to Palestinian authorities while several cities were razed down completely.
There are several cases around WHO showing how many Gazans are facing famine conditions, plus more than 8k young malnourished children (under-five).
Moreover, according to Gerapetritis psychological effects on children due to war are “huge”.
Gerapetritis also indicated that during this week he spoke with both prime ministers of Palestine and Israel about ways of sealing peace and rebuilding Gaza.
“We shouldn’t wait… for the war to stop in order to start discussing it,” he said. “It is going to be a giant project, and we have to develop it as early as possible,” he added.
This will also help reduce attacks on Red Sea by Iranian-backed Houthi fighters targeting ships, which has affected Greece’s shipping sector.
“I am relatively optimistic that alongside the ceasefire that we’re hoping to achieve in the very near future, the situation also in the Red Sea will become much better,” Gerapetritis said.
