As of now, a group of 27 pilgrims hailing from Meghalaya finds themselves in a challenging situation, having become stranded in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, due to the recent hostilities between Israel and Palestine. The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma, addressed this issue on a platform, emphasizing the predicament faced by these citizens who had embarked on a sacred pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He stated, "27 citizens of Meghalaya who embarked on a Holy Pilgrimage to Jerusalem are currently unable to return home due to the escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine." Sangma also reassured that he is maintaining communication with the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate the safe return of these pilgrims to their homeland.
The recent conflict in the region between Israel and Palestine has resulted in a significant loss of life and widespread injuries. On a fateful day, the Palestinian armed group Hamas initiated an unprecedented attack on Israel, launching an overwhelming barrage of over 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip. This provocation compelled Israel to declare a 'state of war' in response to a series of infiltrations and rocket assaults originating from the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, in a video statement, made it clear that the nation was effectively in a state of war and issued a stern warning that Hamas would face consequences for their aggressive actions against Israel. Consequently, the Israeli armed forces initiated 'Operation Iron Swords' against Hamas militants situated in the Gaza Strip.
In the ensuing clashes and counterattacks, the toll on human lives and casualties escalated significantly. Gaza health officials reported that 198 Palestinians lost their lives, while an additional 1,610 individuals sustained injuries as a result of the retaliatory actions taken by the Israeli Defence Force in Gaza.
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