Greece to Repatriate 150 of its Citizens From Israel and Palestine

Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that will repatriate about 150 of its citizens currently in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

The Ministry has been in constant communication with Greek citizens through the Greek Embassy in Tel Aviv and the Greek Consulate in Jerusalem. As of now, 149 Greek visitors have been registered. For them, immediate measures have been set in motion to ensure their safe transfer to the airport for repatriation.

📌 Announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the repatriation of Greek citizens from Israel and the Palestinian Territories

🔗 https://t.co/Cwu0PIvXkT https://t.co/JGhEqV0TOq pic.twitter.com/ojtmc5NC6x

— Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών (@GreeceMFA) October 8, 2023

As reported, certain Greek tourist groups encountered perilous circumstances on their way to the airport, with rocket and ground-to-air missile fire erupting in their vicinity.

Among the Greek travelers are approximately 35 individuals who were reportedly trapped in Jericho, located in the West Bank. Reports indicate that they have successfully left the city and are en route to the international airport in Tel Aviv, where seats on a flight to Athens have been secured for their return.

Greece has strongly condemned the rocket attacks launched from Gaza against Israel and has expressed its support for Israel while deploring the escalating violence. The Greek government, along with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the main opposition party SYRIZA, has voiced its concern over the situation. Approximately 200 Greek permanent residents in Israel are reportedly affected by this ffull-scale conflict. The Foreign Ministry has provided emergency contact numbers for Greek citizens in the region.

War in Israel

At least 700 people are dead, according to Israeli health officials, and 2,100 others are injured in Israel. This devastating war, initiated by Palestinian Hamas-led armed groups, entered its second day and has drawn support from Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The invasion, which commenced from the Gaza Strip in the early morning hours of Saturday, is considered one of Israel’s most extensive military operations in 50 years.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared his country to be at war. The assault involved both gunmen infiltrating Israel’s borders and a barrage of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, triggering warning sirens across southern and central Israel, including Jerusalem. Reports indicate that at least 22 Israeli towns and army bases have been infiltrated.

Palestinian Hamas militants have claimed they are not targeting civilians. However, human rights organizations like Amnesty International have emphasized Israeli civilian casualties resulting from the conflict, with reports of captives being taken.

Furthermore, Hezbollah took responsibility for mortar strikes originating from Lebanon into three Israeli positions near the country’s border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israel responded with artillery strikes.

Israel retaliates after Hamas attacks

Gaza right now !
This is Israel's response to Hamas.#HamasTerrorists #IsraelPalestineWar #IsraelUnderAttack #GazaUnderAttack#HamasTerrorists pic.twitter.com/3YKI4Vb1XE

— ANANT SINGH (@kanpurwalemama) October 8, 2023

In keeping with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pledge of “mighty vengeance,” Israeli air strikes hit housing blocks, tunnels, a mosque, and the homes of Hamas officials in Gaza, killing over 400 people, including 20 children, Reuters reported.