Hundreds of Greek Cypriots protest role of British bases in Israeli attacks on Gaza

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) — Hundreds of Greek Cypriots protested against the role British bases have played in Israel's ongoing attacks on the Gaza strip, according to local media.

Lining up outside the base of Akrotiri to demand that the Greek Cypriot administration take action to prevent military action launched from British installations on the East Mediterranean island, protesters held up pro-Palestinian banners and flags.

They chanted, "Out, out, out, British bases out," and "Freedom in Palestine," according to the daily Cyprus Mail.

"We are here, right outside the British Air Force airport in Akrotiri, because from here, British spy planes are assisting the occupying Israel in gathering information on the 'operations' in Gaza.

"Because, hundreds of tons of bombs and ammunition have passed through here to aid the total destruction of Gaza," Haris Karamanou, a official of the Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL), told protesters.

In response, a spokesperson for British bases said: "We are deeply concerned by the rising tensions and civilian casualties in Lebanon. No RAF (Royal Air Force) flights have transported lethal cargo to the Israeli Defense Forces."

Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7 last year, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

Nearly 41,600 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 96,200 others injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.