A governmental assessment indicates Israel’s possible reaction to the latest attacks by Iran and its allies as well as a conflict in Lebanon, where approximately 3,500 Greek citizens reside and will potentially evacuate.
The assessment is based on information that the Governmental Council for National Security (KYSEA) and diplomatic sources have made public.
Greek authorities prepare evacuation plans for citizens in Lebanon
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic sources presented the developments in the region. The government is planning for the evacuation of 3,000 Greeks from Lebanon.
The relevant authorities have already prepared evacuation plans, which will be activated only if a significant number of requests come from the Greek community. At present, around 40 people have expressed interest in evacuation.
Migration concerns amidst regional instability
The Greek community in Israel it does not appear to be in immediate danger according to agency assessments. However, the situation remains fluid, and KYSEA is considering all possible scenarios, with the safety of Greek citizens being a top priority.
There is particular concern about the potential for increased migration flows, especially from Lebanon. If the crisis continues, it could lead to further destabilization in the country. Greek authorities are closely monitoring the situation, as a broader escalation could trigger a new wave of migration to Greece and Europe, further straining the already challenging migration situation.
In preparation, authorities will expedite the necessary processes at immigration facilities to ensure they can accommodate any migrants detected in Greece. For now, however, Cyprus would likely face this issue first.
Greece’s response and diplomatic alerts
The KYSEA meeting concluded with a decision to keep diplomatic and military services on alert. They ensured they can respond immediately to any developments. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with other authorities, will continue to cooperate with the government. It will also plan potential actions should the situation deteriorate.
The announcement from government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis:
“The Government National Security Council held an emergency meeting under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. During the meeting, an assessment was made of the latest developments in the Middle East, following Iran’s attacks on Israel. They evaluated the security situation and discussed the plan for the evacuation of Greeks from Lebanon. Greece strongly condemns Iran’s attacks on Israel. This is a serious escalation that threatens regional stability and security. Greece supports the people of Israel and their right to live in safety, and reiterates the call for immediate de-escalation. Greek authorities remain on high alert at all levels, intensifying checks and strengthening cooperation for information exchange.”
At the same time however, a 26-year-old Greek man was reportedly killed during a terrorist attack in the Jaffa area of Tel Aviv.