Unidentified assailants opened fire dozens of bullets at the façade of the Israeli embassy in Athens in the early hours of Friday, police authorities said, adding that the pre-dawn drive-by attack claimed no injuries since it occurred before the building had opened for business.
Known as one of the Greek capital's best-guarded buildings, multiple bullets were later found lodged inside the walls, with 15 bullet cases recovered about 40 meters from the embassy, the Associated Press reported.
In total, 54 bullet casings from an AK-47 assault rifle, a weapon favored by Greek anarchist militant groups, were fired on a busy road junction that was closed to traffic for hours.
The shooting was condemned by the Greek government, who stressed that the attack would not affect the country's close ties with Israel.
"Any terrorist attack hitting at the heart of democracy hits the heart of the country," government spokeswoman Sofia Voultepsi said.
"The Greek government is fully determined to ensure the protection of all diplomatic missions in Greece," a Foreign Ministry statement added. "Of course, particularly strong security and protection measures are in force at the Israeli embassy."
At about 3 a.m. Friday, four unknown gunman started firing shots with a Kalashnikov assault rifle at the embassy building in a northern suburb of Athens while riding on two motorcycles, police said.
Following the attack, the area around the embassy was cordoned off by police while forensics experts searched the crime scene pock-marked with bullet holes, Reuters reported.
There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.
Meanwhile, with Greece suffering an economic crisis in recent years, it has managed to stir clear of any low-level violence. But last year, a similar gunfire attack occurred at the German ambassador's residence in Athens, with a small left-wing terrorist group called "Popular Fighters" later claiming responsibility for the shooting.
