This announcement follows the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmation on Monday of the deaths of four Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
"We are deeply saddened by the deaths of four more hostages abducted by Hamas, among them two Polish citizens," stated the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.
"Our hearts go out to the sorrowed families," read the ministry's post on X. The ministry also reiterated Poland's call for a ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate release of all hostages.
The Times of Israel identified the deceased hostages as 79-year-old Chaim Peri, 84-year-old Amiram Cooper, 80-year-old Joram Metzger, and 51-year-old Nadav Popplewell. The IDF has not disclosed the circumstances of their deaths, citing an ongoing investigation.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Paweł Wroński revealed that the two Polish citizens may not have been aware of their Polish nationality.
"The two people in question have a certificate of Polish citizenship. This means that they had this certification carried out in Polish offices in November or December last year, at a time when they were already being held hostage," Wroński explained to state news agency PAP.
"I don't know if they knew they were Polish citizens, probably not, so they are de facto citizens of Israel, for whom the Polish side tried to increase the chances of obtaining freedom."
When asked about the number of hostages with ties to Poland, Wroński stated that it is "a certain group" but did not provide specific numbers.
The conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping more than 240. The surprise attack led to Israel's invasion of the Gaza Strip, resulting in a war now in its eighth month.
According to a United Nations report, the civilian toll in the Strip is catastrophic, with over 35,000 deaths, including a significant proportion of women and children. The UN speculates that the actual death toll might be higher, with roughly 10,000 Gazans believed still buried under rubble.
To date, the IDF has confirmed the deaths of 41 hostages out of the 120 still held by Hamas.
(jh)
Source: IAR, PAP
