The police intervention did not stop at Syntagma Square. Marchers were pushed towards the Egyptian embassy, where they faced another round of confrontation. The police actions were described as unprovoked, with no prior incidents reported that would justify such measures.
This unrest comes amid significant developments in the region, where the Israeli Armed Forces have seized control of the Rafah crossing, the only passageway between Egypt and Gaza that facilitates the movement of humanitarian aid. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, responding to a truce proposal by Hamas, stated that it fell significantly short of Israel’s demands, emphasising the necessity of continued military pressure to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.
Furthermore, Israel has restricted the United Nations’ access to the Rafah border crossing, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. This blockade has intensified the crisis, particularly in southern Rafah, where more than 1.5 million displaced Palestinians currently have no escape from the ongoing conflict.
The Immediate Action Initiative for Palestine, organisers of the Athens march, issued a statement condemning the ongoing violence inflicted by Israeli forces, particularly noting the severe impact on women and children. They called for a global response: “If we don’t act even now, we will all have blood on our hands.”
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