Greece warning as attack fears spread throughout the country with officials on high alert
Greece is a very popular destination for foreign tourists, including holidaymakers from Israel.
Greece received multiple warnings from foreign security services about Iran potentially targeting Israeli interests in the holiday hotspot.
The Greek National Intelligence Service (EYP) has been advised that Tehran or Iranian-backed terror groups could attack the country, according to a report in the daily Kathimerini.
A spokesperson for the Hellenic Citizen Protection Ministry said: "The level of vigilance has increased."
Greece has become an increasingly popular destination among Israelis, who have been slowly turning away from other European holiday hotspots since the start of the war last year.
According to Ophir Tours deputy chairman Yoni Waksman: "You can see a decrease in the number of bookings not only to Turkey but also to countries like Ireland, France and Spain.
"Israelis feel less comfortable travelling, want to enjoy freedom without fear of encountering demonstrations or hiding Jewish symbols."
Fears of escalation have been brewing since the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in an attack in Iran last week.
Israel has not taken responsibility for the strike but Tehran pledged to retaliate on Tel Aviv, with US and Israeli intelligence suggesting a fresh strike could come as early as today [August 5].
Iran's representative at the United Nations claimed the country and its proxies, including Hezbollah, would only aim at Israeli targets in Israeli territory.
However, in recent months Iran-backed terror groups have targeted Jewish and Israeli civilians abroad.
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Two Iranians posing as refugees were arrested in December 2023 in Cyprus for collecting information to plan a future attack.
EYP joined forces with Mossad in March to arrest two Pakistani nationals planning to attack a synagogue in Athens.
Another seven people were arrested in May after an arson attack against an Israeli-owner hotel and restaurant.
Last week’s assassinations of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran’s capital and Hezbollah commander Shukur in Beirut raised tensions in the region.
The Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah said it launched a drone attack early Monday on northern Israel that the Israeli military said wounded two Israeli troops and set off a fire.
