A group of Polish citizens who crossed from the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip into Egypt on Sunday have successfully arrived in Warsaw, as confirmed by Jacek Goryszewski, spokesperson for the Operational Command of the Armed Forces, in a Monday afternoon announcement.
“Two planes, carrying 18 Polish citizens evacuated from the Gaza Strip, landed at the Okecie military airport before 3 pm,” stated Goryszewski.
Given the presence of children among the evacuees, a pediatrician was on-site to provide immediate medical attention, he added.
Goryszewski assured that comprehensive support, including psychological and medical care, as well as temporary accommodations, will be provided for all evacuees until their families can reunite with them.
In addressing the ongoing situation, Goryszewski emphasized the preparedness of the Polish army for potential future evacuations from Gaza.
“Further decisions on possible evacuations will be made solely on the basis of the recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Security Bureau. We are fully prepared,” affirmed Goryszewski.
Reports indicate that seven more Poles are believed to be trapped in Gaza, with one individual, Alex Danzig, reportedly being held hostage by Hamas.
“We are waiting for other persons to arrive through the Rafah crossing. Conditions are very difficult,” noted Jacek Siewiera, head of the National Security Bureau (BBN), during an interview with the Polsat News private television program on Sunday.
President Andrzej Duda recently authorized the deployment of the Polish Military Contingent in Egypt to aid in the evacuation of Polish citizens trapped in the Gaza Strip. The evacuation efforts were prompted by Israel’s extensive air and land assault on Palestinian territory following the Hamas attack on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties.