Poland’s military is on standby to evacuate its citizens from Israel as regional tensions escalate, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said Monday at the CEE Security Forum in Warsaw.
Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport shut down amid Israel-Iran strikesPhoto: ABIR SULTAN/PAP/EPA
Speaking just days after Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian targets and came under retaliatory rocket fire, the deputy prime minister stressed that protecting Polish nationals abroad remains a priority.
“The Polish army is ready to evacuate our citizens at any moment – we are just waiting for the signal,” he said.
Kosiniak-Kamysz revealed that the military has been on alert since early Friday, following coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Around 200 Polish nationals are expected to be evacuated through Jordan before returning to Warsaw, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Henryka Mościcka-Dendys.
The Polish minister also addressed regional defense priorities, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Baltic Sea.
“The Baltic is essential not only to the countries that border it, but to the entire EU and NATO,” he said, highlighting the need to protect critical infrastructure, secure trade routes, and maintain airspace safety.
Poland has proposed deeper defense coordination with key Nordic and Baltic partners – including Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, and the Baltic States – as part of broader efforts to enhance regional security in response to rising global threats.
(mp)
Source: PAP/MON