Another group of 11 Bosnian citizens and their relatives, who were evacuated from the Gaza Strip, arrived in Sarajevo on Monday evening, after they were recently evacuated from the blocked Palestinian enclave, which has been under fierce Israeli attacks since October 7.
Evacuated BiH citizens and their relatives arrived in Istanbul today from Cairo, from where they arrived by plane at Sarajevo International Airport, a few hours after the first group of 26 citizens of BiH and their relatives landed in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
They were met at the airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, who said that among the people who arrived in Bosnia and Herzegovina on the second flight, five will stay in Sarajevo, two will go to Zenica, and the other four will be temporarily housed in the center of Salakovac. He said that people go to the reception center Salakovac only if they wish.
“Minister (for human rights and refugees Sevlid op. a.) Hurtić works very hard and dedicatedly to find permanent solutions. There are several options for apartments available to this ministry – in Kalesija, Zenica, Tuzla and Sarajevo. As for the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, they are in this case they passed the exam,” Konaković said.
He said that Bosnia and Herzegovina will institutions to continue working to enable the remaining BiH citizens who are on the list to leave Gaza.
“Of these 13 that remained, there were situations where Israel issued permits for the children, not for the parents, and they did not want to be separated. The Qatari authorities continue to offer us help. We will bring all those who have even a millimeter of ground to Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Konaković said.
The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina previously passed a Decision on granting entry to Bosnia and Herzegovina under special conditions to citizens of Palestine who are relatives of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
So far, 36 of the 42 people from Bosnia and Herzegovina whose evacuation has been approved have been evacuated from Gaza. Preparations are underway for the exit of the remaining BiH. citizens from the Gaza Strip.
In the process of evacuation from Gaza, as well as accommodation in Cairo and transport to Sarajevo, the State of Qatar provided support.
Ambassador of Qatar to Bosnia and Herzegovina Meshaal Ali Mohammad Abdullah Al-Attiyah pointed out earlier that since the beginning of the Israeli attacks on Gaza, his country has been making strong diplomatic efforts with the aim of de-escalation, opening humanitarian corridors and preventing forced displacement.
“The evacuation of holders of foreign nationalities is part of Qatar’s humanitarian efforts and its close cooperation with brotherly and friendly countries in the evacuation of persons who want to leave the territory of the Gaza Strip under Israeli aggression,” said Ambassador Al-Attiyah.