As reported by the National Security Office on the night from Sunday to Monday, President Andrzej Duda decided to use the Polish Military Contingent to evacuate Polish citizens from Israel. The first plane with evacuees from Israel landed in Warsaw on Monday morning.
“A contingent of up to 200 soldiers together with B-737, C-130 and C-295 aircraft will be used between October 8-15, 2023,” reads the BBN information on social media. The decision was published in the Journal of Laws and entered into force.
The first evacuees in Poland
As the Polish Press Agency reported on Monday after 5 a.m., one of the planes carrying Poles evacuated from Israel landed in Warsaw. “A military plane – Boeing – with 120 Poles evacuated from Israel landed in Warsaw on Monday around 5.15 a.m. Further planes with evacuees – two military Hercules – are expected at the Warsaw-Okęcie military airport after 7 a.m.,” PAP reported.
Jabłoński: everyone waiting on planes at the airport
“The evacuation of our citizens from Israel is underway. The first plane is taking off soon. Passengers are currently boarding two more and will be safely transported to Poland. All Polish citizens staying at the airport today found a place on the planes,” he said on the night from Sunday to Monday. social media, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paweł Jabłoński.
Three planes in Israel
On Sunday evening, the Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak reported that “a third military plane flew from Warsaw to Israel to help evacuate Poles to the country.”
“There are also military medics on board,” the head of the Ministry of National Defense wrote on the X platform (former Twitter).
On Sunday afternoon, the Operations Center of the Ministry of National Defense reported that two C-130 Hercules military planes flew from Poland to Israel. As indicated by the Ministry of National Defense, the priority evacuation was to include the trip from the music school in Chełm. “Children and guardians are waiting for evacuation at the Tel Aviv airport. The group consists of about 10 people, they will be subject to priority evacuation,” it was emphasized. The Ministry of National Defense also announced that “further evacuation planes are already on standby.” Earlier on Sunday, Błaszczak announced that talks were also underway with Greece on the possible “establishment of an evacuation bridge”. “If necessary, Hercules can take Polish tourists from Israel to Greece, and CASY from Greece to Poland.” As he said on Sunday, “a group of about 200 Poles are waiting to be evacuated from Israel.” “We are prepared to quickly and efficiently ensure the return home of Polish tourists who are currently in Israel,” assured the head of the Ministry of National Defense.
Due to the situation in Israel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched a special hotline +48 22 523 88 80 for Polish citizens.
Safety recommendations for Poles staying in Israel
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Israel publish announcements regarding the security situation and activities of the consular service on their websites. pages government and social media (including on X platform).
Recommendations for Poles issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
> If you are in a safe place, stay there. You face the greatest danger when moving around the country – do not change your place of stay unless there is a threat to your health or life. Land borders with Jordan are closed, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against attempts to cross the border with Egypt.
>Don’t go to the airport. Going to the airport will not get you closer to returning to your country and will pose a greater risk than staying at home or in a hotel. People who are already at the airport should stay there for now and contact their carriers.
> If you have not done so yet, please contact the facility (in emergency situations requiring urgent intervention of the consul, you can contact us by phone: +972 547 444 106 or e-mail: telaviv.wk.dyzurny@msz.gov.pl). Provide your place of stay and the number of Poles staying with you.
> Follow the recommendations of local services.
> Please also register in the Odyseusz system (https://odyseusz.msz.gov.pl/).
> Make sure your phone is always charged.
> If you can, buy water and something to eat.
The situation in Israel is difficult and changes from hour to hour. Follow the social media of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Tel Aviv (X platform and Facebook). We will inform about the development of the situation through them – adds the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against travel throughout the country”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel throughout the country, as well as to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. In emergency situations requiring urgent intervention of the consul, you can contact us by phone: +972 547 444 106,” the Polish embassy says on its Facebook profile. .
Airlines suspend connections
Airlines cancel flights to and from Tel Aviv. On Sunday, Wizz Air announced that due to the escalation of the conflict, it “suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until further notice.”
“Wizz Air contacts passengers directly via e-mail or SMS. Passengers affected by changes are provided with the opportunity to modify their reservation or refund, as well as accommodation. We recommend that passengers who have made reservations in travel agencies or online agencies return directly to them,” it added.
Other airlines also canceled upcoming flights. Further announcements on this matter have not been ruled out.
READ ALSO: Crisis in Israel. Carriers cancel flights
Main photo source: Mariusz Błaszczak/x.com