Greece successfully evacuates over 100 nationals from Israel as conflict escalates

Greece successfully completed the evacuation of 105 nationals from Israel early on Wednesday, as the conflict between Iran and Israel intensifies.

The evacuees were flown to Athens from Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport in Egypt aboard C-130 and C-27 military aircraft operated by the Hellenic Air Force. The first plane landed at Elefsina Air Base, west of the capital, shortly before 4 a.m., followed by two more aircraft.

From there, four buses transported the evacuees to central Athens, with the first arriving in Syntagma Square around 5.30 a.m., carrying 24 passengers. Families and relatives were waiting at the drop-off point. The final bus arrived around 7 a.m.

“We were constantly in shelters. I haven’t slept at all these past few days,” one woman told Kathimerini after stepping off the first bus.

Another evacuee described the tense journey from Israel to Egypt: “It was very difficult. I had been in Israel for five months for work, but the last few days were hell. Sirens went off four or five times a day. During the trip, sirens sounded again, and we had to get off the bus, lie on the ground, and try to protect ourselves. At one point, I thought we wouldn’t make it out,” he said. “Twenty minutes later, we continued, and thankfully everything went well. I hope this nightmare ends soon for those still living through it.”

A third evacuee simply said he felt “joy and gratitude” to be back in Greece, recalling the constant sound of “sirens and rockets” during his time in Israel.

Source: ekathimerini.com