Safely returned to Greece at dawn (18.06.2025) 105 Greeks that had been trapped in the last few days in Israel.
The Greeks began the big return trip to their homeland yesterday. They crossed Israel’s border and crossed Egypt from where they were received by 3 Air Force aircraft, bringing them to the 112 Elefsina Battle Wing.
The last Greeks were repatriated a few minutes before 05:00 in the morning. In total, the Air Force made 3 flights to return our citizens.
Citizens from Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Georgia, Switzerland, the US, Italy, Cyprus, Lithuania, Hungary, Portugal, Romania and Sweden. Everyone had been trapped in Israel since the day the attacks began with Iran and the Israeli airspace closed.
Outside Elefsina’s military airport there were cars with their relatives. The rest boarded buses that transported them to downtown Athens, from where their own received them.
“We were 4 days in shelters, we were scared”
Shortly after 5:30 in the morning, the first buses arrived at the Constitution with citizens who were released from Israel.
Most were tired, with a few luggage and without a willingness to talk. Beyond the long and difficult journey, the Greeks lived the horror of war by listening to bombings and sirens throughout the day.
“We went to Cairo and left there. We were scared, we were 4 days in shelters“Said a woman who was released from Israel, reaching the Constitution.
“It was a great journey but now we are safe,” he said with a smile on his lips, in English, another passenger.
“We are distressed, scared. Thank God, however, we came back. To thank the Greek Embassy and the Air Force, they took care of us in the best way. I hope that all that started. I went down to Jerusalem Thursday for Tama, I would go to Tel Aviv to my friends. When we went, the bombings started. It was difficult situations, with the sirens we heard we went to the shelters ”, He mentioned one of the Greeks who were repatriated to ERT.
“Many people were trapped. I think it was 4,000 Greeks. We came into contact with the embassy and found the safest way to return. We left Tel Aviv at dawn, crossed the border, crossing Egypt where Air Force aircraft were waiting for us. We are very damaged. We thank the whole world for helping us. The Israelis left their families to help us, “he continued.
The Foreign Ministry’s announcement
Under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Greek Embassies in Tel Aviv and Cairo and the Consulate General of Greece in Jerusalem, the operation of 105 Greek citizens and members of their families from Israel was securely completed today, Wednesday, June 18.
The repatriated were transferred to Athens from the Sharm El Sheikh of Egypt, with Air Force C-27 and C-27 aircraft.
The above flight also facilitated the return of citizens of European and third countries, including Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Georgia, Switzerland, the US, Italy, Cyprus, Lithuania, Lithuania, Lithuania, Lithuania, Lithuania, Lithuania.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the diplomatic and consular authorities of Greece in the region, remain fully ready to provide any possible assistance.