2024-08-04 15:41 update: 2024-08-04, 15:44
Photo: PAP/EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has again advised Polish citizens against travelling to Lebanon, Israel and Iran as there is a growing number of Polish tourists visiting the three countries.
"In connection with a growing number of Polish tourists visiting Lebanon, Israel and Iran, we want to repeat that we have long advised any kind of travel to this region," MFA wrote on the social media platform X.
"The unstable security situation makes it possible to believe that it will be more and more difficult to leave the three countries," the ministry said.
On Sunday, MFA issued a renewed warning against travel to Lebanon and urged Polish citizens to leave the country.
"Due to the tense situation in the Middle East, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates its warnings against travel to Lebanon and the conflict zone," it wrote on the X platform.
"If your life, family or professional situation does not absolutely require you to stay in Lebanon, it is advisable to leave the threatened region," the statement further read.
The ministry added that air transport in the region "remains available."
Later on Sunday, a deputy foreign minister, Andrzej Szejna told PAP that in the event of the conflict escalation, the Polish government is fully prepared to carry out an evacuation.
But, he added, "We do not plan to evacuate the staff of our diplomatic missions in the near future, although we are aware that the situation may evolve."
On Friday, a LOT Polish flag carrier spokesman said that LOT had cancelled eight flights from Warsaw to Lebanon and Israel, as well as return flights, after an analysis of the security situation.
Other airlines, including Delta, United Airlines, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Air India, on Thursday cancelled flights to Israel as concerns grow over a possible conflict in the region.
The killing by Israel of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday and senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut on Tuesday risks escalating the fighting into an all-out regional war, with Iran also threatening to respond after the attack on its territory.
The killings followed the rocket attack on Saturday on the town of Majdal Shams that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.
Israel has vowed to kill Hamas leaders over the group’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel that sparked the war. (PAP)
at/aj/mr/jd
