The initial group of more than 200 Indians who recently returned from Israel brought back harrowing memories and a sense of relief. Their journey from Israel was marked by the haunting echoes of air raid sirens, rocket blasts, and the distressing sound of screams, which remained etched in their minds.
Israel experienced an unprecedented and unexpected attack by Hamas in its southern regions on a Saturday morning, resulting in significant casualties, with at least 700 people losing their lives and more than 2,100 sustaining injuries. This marked one of the deadliest days for Israel in over half a century.
One of the returning passengers, Shashwat Singh, shared his experience, stating, "We woke up to the sounds of air raid sirens. We stay in central Israel, and I don't know what shape this conflict will take." He described how the sounds of the sirens and the nightmarish encounters of the past few days continued to haunt him.
These evacuations of Indian citizens were praised by Singh, who emphasized, "We hope peace will be restored, and we will return to work... The Indian government got in touch with us via email. We are thankful to Prime Minister Modi and the Indian Embassy in Israel."
India initiated Operation Ajay to facilitate the return of its citizens, considering the escalating attacks on Israeli towns by Hamas militants, which created heightened tension in the region.
Many returning students shared their experiences of having to take shelter during rocket attacks by Hamas, recounting the anxious moments when they heard air raid sirens. Several women students expressed the panic they felt as non-citizens in Israel, highlighting the importance of having shelters accessible during such situations.
The evacuation process was characterized as smooth and efficient, with the Indian Embassy providing substantial assistance to the evacuees. While they were relieved to return home, they also expressed concerns for their friends who remained in Israel.
As the first batch of evacuees arrived in Delhi, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar welcomed them, acknowledging the government's commitment to ensuring the safety of Indian citizens abroad. Operation Ajay reflects India's pledge not to leave any Indian in harm's way, aligning with the motto of not leaving any Indian behind. The government continues to work diligently to bring its citizens safely back to their families.
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