Greece on high alert over possible attack on Israeli target

Foreign services notified Greek authorities to be vigilant as Iran is expected to retaliate against Israel.

Greece’s National Intelligence Service (EYP) and counterterrorism authorities are on high alert after receiving a warning from foreign security services about potential attacks on an Israeli target in Greece following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran.

Greek and foreign officials believe Iran will attempt to retaliate with an attack against an Israeli target, not in Israel, but in a third country. According to some foreign services, Greece is among the third countries.

However, according to sources cited by Kathimerini, there is clear information about an attack against a specific target or on a specific date.

In 2023 and in early 2024, there were two plans and attempts to attack targets of Israeli interest in Athens.

The first of these was in March 2023, when the Anti-Terrorism Unit, in collaboration with the EYP and the Israeli Mossad, arrested two Pakistani nationals, accused of planning to attack the Jewish synagogue in Monastiraki, who was, according to Israeli sources, coordinating with a Pakistani national based in Iran.

The second case was in May and June 2024, when there were arson attacks against an Israeli hotel and a synagogue in Monastiraki. The perpetrators were tracked down by videos and evidence found at the scene of the attack by Anti-Terrorism Units. A few days before the suspects’ already planned arrests, Israel provided Greek authorities with additional information.

However, in the court documents, it is stated that an imprisoned Afghan gave orders to the perpetrators, and there are indications of involvement of individuals based in Iran.

After the latest developments in the Middle East, there is the possibility of a new attempt to hit an Israeli target in Greece.

“The level of vigilance has increased,” an official of the Ministry of Citizen Protection told Kathimerini. Information from abroad about a possible strike within the borders was confirmed by officials from the country’s intelligence and security services.

“Israel’s spies get their revenge.”

There is also foreign service cooperation with the authorities of Cyprus, where Iran has tried to carry out a terrorist attack, with the most recent case recorded in December 2023.

At that time, Cypriot authorities arrested two Iranian nationals who were living on the island as economic immigrants but allegedly had relations with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Finally, there is a related concern about the possibility of foreign nationals transiting through Greece destined for another country with the aim of attacking a Jewish and/or Israeli target.

Source: GCT// PAUL ANTONOPOULOS