Greece: 105 Greek Citizens Repatriated from Israel Amid Conflict – ‘We Are Distressed and Fearful’

On June 18, 2025, 105 Greek citizens who had been stranded in Israel during the escalating conflict were safely repatriated to Greece. The operation involved three flights conducted by the Hellenic Air Force, which transported them from Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, where they had fled after crossing the Israeli border, to Elefsina Air Base near Athens. The last group arrived just before 5:00 AM. In total, three flights were organized, also assisting citizens from Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Georgia, Switzerland, the USA, Italy, Cyprus, Lithuania, Hungary, Portugal, Romania, and Sweden, all of whom were trapped in Israel following attacks by Iran that closed Israeli airspace. Outside the military base in Elefsina, family members waited with vehicles, while others were transported to central Athens via buses for pickup. Many Greeks described their ordeal, recounting four days spent in shelters amid bombings and air raid sirens. One woman said, “We went to Cairo and left from there. We were terrified, spending four days in shelters.” Another expressed relief, saying, “It was a long journey, but now we are safe.” The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated the effort with embassies in Tel Aviv and Cairo, ensuring a successful evacuation under challenging conditions.