Gaza Evacuees in Greece Face Painful Recovery and Uncertain Future
A group of Palestinians evacuated from Gaza is struggling to rebuild their lives in Greece after being rescued from the ongoing conflict. The evacuees arrived in Athens in February, carrying deep physical and psychological wounds from the war. According to AFP, 26 Palestinians, including 10 minors with severe injuries, are now navigating medical care, education, and trauma recovery far from home, with an uncertain future.
Raghad al-Fara, 15, is relearning to walk with crutches after her leg and back were crushed in an Israeli bombing in Khan Younis in July 2024. She spent seven months bedridden before evacuation. Her mother, Shadia, notes that Raghad received orthopedic treatment but little psychological support, suffering from shock-related issues like bedwetting. The family receives no financial aid from the Greek government. Another evacuee, 20-year-old Sara Al-Sweirki, left Gaza in September and plans to study psychology at a private American college in Athens. She hopes to use her experience to help others overcome trauma.
Greece historically welcomed Palestinian refugees, especially students during the 1980s. However, current political hesitation under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has slowed additional resettlement efforts. Despite public sympathy, with 74% of Greeks supporting Palestinian recognition, the government has yet to take formal steps. For evacuees, the temporary truce in Gaza offers no clear path home. Returning to tents under the threat of renewed bombing is impossible, leaving families like Shadia’s feeling powerless.
These evacuees highlight the long-term human cost of the Gaza conflict, showing that the war’s impact extends far beyond immediate physical injuries, affecting education, mental health, and family reunification.
