India has launched “Operation Ajay” to enable the evacuation of its citizens from conflict-ridden Israel.
Kobbi Shoshani, Consul General of Israel in Mumbai, assured that the Israeli government is doing its best to assist the Indian Embassy in Operation Ajay to help 18,000 Indians, including 1,000 students living there.
The Embassy has emailed the first lot of registered Indian citizens for the special flight tomorrow. Messages to other registered people will follow for subsequent flights.@MEAIndia https://t.co/Qz4ieVd5l4
— India in Israel (@indemtel) October 11, 2023
Operation Ajay
Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar announced on Wednesday that special chartered flights and other arrangements are being made to facilitate the return of Indian citizens from Israel.
“Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad,” Jaishankar said on X (formerly Twitter) while announcing the operation.
The first flight is expected to take off for India on Thursday, and subsequent flights will be announced as per demand.
The decision comes days after Air India suspended its services on the Delhi-Tel Aviv route as tensions broke out in the region.
The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv has emailed the first lot of registered Indian citizens for the special flight.
24-Hour Control Room, Helplines
To monitor the situation and provide information and assistance amid the recent Israel-Hamas conflict, the MEA has set up a 24-hour Control Room in New Delhi.
1800118797 (Toll free), +91-11 23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905, +919968291988, and situationroom@mea.gov.in are the contact details of the Delhi control room.
The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv has also set up a 24-hour emergency helpline. The contact details for the helpline are: +972-35226748, +972-543278392, cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in.
Additionally, a 24-hour emergency helpline has been set up by the Representative of the Office of India in Ramallah. The office can be reached by contacting +970-592916418 (also accessible via WhatsApp) or rep.ramallah@mea.gov.in.
No Indian Killed, 27 Indians Evacuated
Following the Hamas’ attack, the Indian Embassy in Israel issued an advisory to Indian citizens asking them to remain vigilant and observe safety protocols.
Shoshani said he had no information about any Indian national being injured or killed in the ongoing conflict.
Over 27 people from Meghalaya, including Rajya Sabha MP and NPP chief WR Kharlukhi, were stuck in the region as they were on their pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
📢*IMPORTANT ADVISORY FOR INDIAN NATIONALS IN ISRAEL*
— India in Israel (@indemtel) October 7, 2023
For details visit-
Israel Home Front Command website: https://t.co/Sk8uu2Mrd4
Preparedness brochure: https://t.co/18bDjO9gL5 pic.twitter.com/LtAMGT9CwA
Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma announced on Sunday that all stranded citizens managed to cross to Egypt owing to efforts by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian mission.
Operation Ajay will be India’s second evacuation operation this year. India had previously carried out Operation Kaveri, which brought back several thousand Indians from conflict-ridden Sudan in April and May.
The Conflict
Conflict flared between Israel and Palestine on Saturday after the militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel.
Following rocket strikes on various parts of the country and infiltration by gunmen, Israel retaliated by laying siege to Gaza.
The country has cut off food and electricity supplies to Gaza, and several nations have stopped aid to the enclave that houses over 2 million people.
In the worst conflict in the region in decades, over 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, and more than 1,100 have lost their lives in Gaza so far.