As the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies, a crucial mission is underway to bring stranded Indian citizens home. The first charter flight, a part of ‘Operation Ajay,’ arrived in New Delhi on Friday morning, carrying 212 Indian passengers, including an infant. These passengers were selected on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and departed from Ben Gurion Airport in Israel on Thursday night.
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekar was on hand at the airport to welcome the returning Indian nationals, underscoring the government’s commitment to their safety and well-being.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took to social media to share images of the repatriation, marking the commencement of ‘Operation Ajay.’ The operation includes special chartered flights and the potential deployment of Indian Navy ships if required. Approximately 18,000 Indians, including students, professionals, and traders, are currently in Israel.
To monitor the situation in Israel and Palestine, the Ministry of External Affairs has established a 24-hour control room, complete with dedicated contact numbers.
The Israel-Hamas conflict, now in its seventh day, continues to escalate, resulting in casualties and the displacement of hundreds of thousands. The situation remains fluid as both sides engage in intense military actions.