Polish citizens are being evacuated from Israel as tensions continue to rise with neighboring Palestine after a recent escalation of violence in the region.
Two Hercules military planes and one Boeing aircraft were dispatched to Israel on Sunday to assist with the evacuation of Polish citizens and landed in Warsaw on Monday morning, Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak confirmed in a social media post.
The first to touch down in Warsaw was the Boeing carrying 120 evacuees from Israel, followed by the two military Hercules aircraft.
“The first evacuees from Israel are now in Poland. Thank you to our soldiers for the efficient execution of this operation. You are the best!” Błaszczak wrote.
“A military Boeing is en route to Israel to pick up more evacuees,” he added.
Among the returnees are individuals who had traveled for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. They expressed relief upon landing. “We were lucky enough to get to the airport on time, and there we learned about the severe situation,” said Andrzej Wojtaszek, the director of a music school in Chełm who was in Israel with a group of students. “We spent one day at the airport. It was quite risky, but Israeli procedures are so well organized that alarms are given in advance. We went to shelters twice,” he recounted.
“All Polish citizens at the Tel Aviv airport found seats on the planes,” Deputy Foreign Minister Paweł Jabłoński announced on X, formerly Twitter. “Our embassy and consular services have been working non-stop for many hours. They provide information and assistance at the airport and embassy, coordinate flight approvals, compile passenger lists, and manage their check-in. No one will be left without help.”
As reported by the National Security Bureau (BBN), President Andrzej Duda has decided to deploy the Polish Military Contingent for the evacuation of Polish citizens from Israel.
“The contingent of up to 200 soldiers, along with B-737, C-130, and C-295 aircraft, will be used October 8-15, 2023,” announced the BBN.
