As the Israel-Hamas war intensified, India on Wednesday, announced that it is planning to launch ‘Operation Ajay’ to bring back Indian citizens from there. Reportedly, there are 18,000 Indians in Israel.
Taking to the social media platform X, External Foreign Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has shared, “Launching #OperationAjay to facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to return. Special charter flights and other arrangements are being put in place. Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad.”
Additionally, the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv informed X that it has emailed the first lot of registered Indian citizens for the special flight tomorrow. The first lot of Indians who had registered to return have been notified and they will be put on the first special flight tomorrow to India, the country’s embassy in Israel said in another post.
Jaishankar, after having a discussion with USE’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed, tweeted that “Discussed the ongoing crisis in West Asia. Agreed to stay in touch,” he tweeted.
Earlier in the day, the ministry of external affairs announced it has set up a 24-hour control room to monitor the situation in Israel and provide information and assistance. The Indian embassy has also issued helpline numbers for the Indian nationals.
Israel has formed an emergency government to conduct the war against Hamas, five days after the group’s fighters killed civilians in their homes and on the streets in an unprecedented assault on Israeli soil.
Thousands have died over the last five days, with Israel responding to the killings with a massive bombardment of the Gaza Strip which Hamas rules.
