India has launched 'Operation Ajay' to facilitate the return of Indian citizens from Israel who wish to come back home, particularly in light of recent attacks on Israeli towns by Hamas militants, which have escalated tensions in the region.
Israel's Consul General in Mumbai, Kobbi Shoshani, has stated that more than 20,000 Indians reside in Israel, and there have been no reports of Indian nationals being injured or killed in the ongoing conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas militants. Airline operations from India to Israel have been halted, prompting the Ministry of External Affairs to initiate efforts to repatriate stranded Indian citizens from Israel.
Shoshani emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety of Indian citizens in Israel, stating, "We do not know about any death or injury to civilians of India who are staying in Israel. If we come to know about any case, I will be personally involved."
India has launched "Operation Ajay" to facilitate the return of Indian citizens from Israel who wish to come back home, particularly in light of recent attacks on Israeli towns by Hamas militants, which have escalated tensions in the region. The operation, announced by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, will involve special charter flights and other arrangements, PTI reported.
The Indian embassy in Israel has already initiated the process of bringing back Indian citizens, with the first batch expected to return in a special flight. It is estimated that around 18,000 Indians currently reside in Israel.
The ongoing conflict between Hamas militants from Gaza and Israeli retaliation has resulted in a significant loss of life, with more than 2,150 casualties reported. Israeli authorities have confirmed over 1,200 deaths on their side, including 155 soldiers, while the Palestinian side has reported a death toll of 950 in Gaza.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar also discussed the situation in West Asia with the United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, affirming their commitment to stay in touch regarding the crisis.
To assist Indian citizens in Israel and Palestine, the Ministry of External Affairs has established a 24-hour control room in Delhi and emergency helplines in Tel Aviv and Ramallah. They have also issued an advisory to Indian nationals in Israel to remain vigilant and follow safety protocols advised by local authorities.