New Delhi, October 13: Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hamas terrorists, India has launched ‘Operation Ajay’ to ensure the safe return of its citizens from the affected area. The Union Ministry of External Affairs, led by Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, announced the mission through social media.
S Jaishankar informed about the launch of #OperationAjay in a statement shared on his social media platform (formerly Twitter), emphasizing its objective of facilitating the return of Indian citizens from Israel. This operation includes arranging for special charter flights to bring back those wishing to return to India. Jaishankar stressed India’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad.
The Indian Embassy in Israel was quick to react to Jaishankar’s announcement, revealing that it had already contacted the first group of registered Indian citizens to schedule their departure on special flights. He assured that additional messages would be sent to other registered individuals, outlining plans for subsequent flights.
The need for ‘Operation Ajay’ arises because around 18,000 Indians currently live in Israel, a large number of whom are located in conflict-prone areas. The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv received several appeals from Indian citizens, including tourists, seeking evacuation as the conflict escalated with Hamas-backed terrorists entering Israeli territory and endangering civilian lives.
In the Indian expatriate community in Israel, a significant portion serve as caregivers, other segments include students, IT professionals, and more. The Indian Embassy urged all citizens to remain vigilant and keep in touch with its office for further guidance and support.
