Poland evacuates citizens from Gaza, foreign ministry confirms

Poland's foreign ministry has announced the successful evacuation of the first group of Polish citizens from Gaza, who it says are now en route back to Poland.

Hercules C130 aircraft.

Photo: PAP/Jakub Kaczmarczyk

The operation is the culmination of efforts by the Polish embassies in Tel Aviv, Ramallah and Cairo, coordinated with the foreign ministry in Warsaw, Poland's National Security Bureau (BBN), and the General Staff of the Polish Army.

The ministry said on social media on Monday that these efforts continued with the aim to evacuate all Polish nationals.

The returnees are being transported on two C-130 Hercules aircraft, which previously delivered aid from Poland to Egypt for the injured in the Gaza Strip.

Samoloty, które wyleciały w nocy z 🇵🇱 po grupę polskich obywateli ewakuowanych ze Strefy Gazy są już w Egipcie.

Na ich pokładzie @polskapomoc, która zostanie przekazana do egipskich szpitali dla rannych ze Strefy Gazy. pic.twitter.com/yQYZgxCA2x

— Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych RP 🇵🇱 (@MSZ_RP) November 13, 2023

This initial group, comprising both Poles and Palestinians holding Polish passports, departed from the Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to the Polish foreign ministry.

Dwa samoloty polskich sił powietrznych C-130 Hercules wyruszyły z Egiptu do kraju. Na pokładzie transportowanych przez #WojskoPolskie jest osiemnastu obywateli 🇵🇱 ewakuowanych ze Strefy Gazy. Pozostajemy w gotowości do realizacji kolejnych zadań w tym zakresie. @DowOperSZ… pic.twitter.com/1axLHGaitk

— Sztab Generalny WP (@SztabGenWP) November 13, 2023

Polish authorities reported that 18 individuals with Polish passports have been evacuated from Gaza so far, out of a total of 29 expected to leave. Those remaining were anticipated to gather near the Rafah border crossing for their departure.

(jh/gs)

Source: IAR, PAP