Information obtained from Israel and Egypt shows that after the suspension of the evacuation of foreigners from the Gaza Strip, it is currently impossible for Polish citizens to leave it – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Sunday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement posted on its website on Sunday morning, said that in the circumstances, it “indignantly emphasizes that every day our citizens stay in the Gaza Strip exposes them to the risk of losing their lives and brings suffering, especially to children.”
“In our opinion, no circumstances justify the fact that Poles who have been in the Gaza Strip for three weeks cannot leave it, even though the Polish authorities are waiting for their reception on the Egyptian side,” we read.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains in contact with Poles staying in the Gaza Strip
The Ministry noted that through the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Tel Aviv, Cairo and the Office in Ramallah, “since the outbreak of the conflict, there has been and is in close and regular official and working contact with the Egyptian and Israeli authorities, thus making every effort to enable Polish citizens in the Gaza Strip safe and speedy evacuation.”
“Due to the information received from Israel and Egypt about the temporary suspension of the possibility of evacuating foreigners from the Gaza Strip, it is currently impossible for Polish citizens to leave it,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry assured that representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remain in contact with Poles staying in the Gaza Strip.
There are about 30 Poles in the Gaza Strip
The AFP agency, citing an anonymous Hamas administration official, reported that Hamas suspended the evacuation of foreigners and dual nationals to Egypt on Saturday. This decision was made after Israel refused to allow injured Palestinians to go to Egyptian hospitals.
There are also Polish citizens among those imprisoned in the Gaza Strip. “We have no hope that we will even have safe transportation for them.”Facts about the World TVN24 BIS
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated several times that it demands that Polish citizens be allowed to safely evacuate from the Gaza Strip. According to the knowledge of the Polish diplomatic and consular service, there are approximately 30 Polish citizens in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas attack on Israel PAP/Reuters – Maciej Zieliński
Main photo source: NEIL HALL/EPA/PAP