First Greek citizens from Gaza arrive in Athens
Greek citizens who had been trapped in Gaza since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas have begun arriving at Athens International Airport.
Shortly before noon, eleven citizens who had crossed into Egypt from the enclave through the Rafah border crossing on Thursday, landed in Athens.
One of the first passengers to appear in the arrivals hall was Alexandros Fayyad, who was met by his wife.
“The situation in Gaza is difficult, it is horrible. It was a huge effort for us to leave. Initially we had no gas to get to the border. We got to a point and then went on foot. Unfortunately, things are difficult and I find it difficult to describe them,” he told Kathimerini.
“There is absolute destruction, there is no life, there is nothing. As the days go by, things get harder. There are dead people everywhere. There is nothing, no food, everything is gone. I don’t feel relieved to be back, because my soul is there, because I have lived through this whole situation and it is difficult to realize it.”
Two families were among the Greeks who arrived.
The Ministry of Migration and Asylum has said it will place a facility in Elefsina on standby to accommodate those who need it.
Four of the arrivals from Gaza have opted to stay in the facility, which is otherwise used to host Ukrainian families. [Kathimerini, AMNA]
