On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar unveiled "Operation Ajay," a mission aimed at repatriating stranded Indian citizens amidst the ongoing conflict in Israel. He revealed that special charter flights and other logistical arrangements were being established to facilitate this operation.
Kobbi Shoshani, Israel's Consul General in Mumbai, informed the PTI news agency that there are more than 20,000 Indians residing in Israel, which is currently embroiled in a war with the Palestinian group Hamas. Shoshani, however, expressed uncertainty regarding the precise number of Indians facing distress in Israel.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan addressed a letter to Jaishankar on Tuesday, appealing for assistance in ensuring the safety of approximately 7,000 individuals from Kerala who are currently in Israel.
The government of Tamil Nadu also issued a statement, revealing that they had received information regarding 84 people from their state who found themselves stranded in Israel. These individuals had journeyed to Israel for various purposes, such as pursuing further education, conducting business affairs, or engaging in tourism.
Furthermore, Bollywood actor Nushrratt Bharuccha's situation gained attention when she returned to Mumbai on October 8 after being marooned in Israel. She had been attending the Haifa International Film Festival when the hostilities erupted.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) took prompt action by establishing a 24/7 control room in Delhi and establishing separate emergency helplines in Tel Aviv and Ramallah. These measures were implemented to closely monitor the situation and provide vital information and support to Indian citizens who may require assistance.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas, now in its fifth day, has seen both sides engaged in continuous hostilities, with additional actors entering the fray. Hezbollah, a Lebanese political party and terrorist group, claimed responsibility for launching precision missiles at Israel. Simultaneously, Israel faced attacks originating from Syria, as its forces reported the landing of shells from their northern neighbor. However, Israeli authorities could not confirm whether the shells were fired by Syrian armed forces. The region's volatility continues to evolve as the conflict unfolds.
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