India launches operation Ajay to repatriate Indians from Israel

New Delhi: India has launched Operation Ajay to bring back stranded Indians from Israel. The first batch will return on Thursday. “Special charter flights and other arrangements are being put in place. Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad,” External Affairs minister S. Jaishankar said in a post on X.

There are about 18,000 Indians in Israel consisting of students, caregivers, businesspersons and tourists in Israel at present. Indian embassy in Tel Aviv was in touch with Indian national and several had expressed desire to return home.

“The first lot of Indians who had registered to return has been notified and they will be put on the first special flight tomorrow to India,” Indian embassy in Israel said. Indian embassy also asked people to stay calm and follow the advisories that are being issued

“The Embassy has been working constantly to help our fellow citizens in Israel through a 24-hour helpline. Please remain calm and vigilant and follow the security advisories,” the Indian Embassy said.

Several chief ministers had requested EAM to start evacuation process to bring home the citizens. In a letter to Dr Jaishankar, Kerala Chief Minister Pinari Vijayan said that around 7,000 people in Israel are from Kerala and the continuing hostilities were putting them to extreme hardship and their family members were in a state of extreme anxiety.

“I request your goodself to intervene in every possible manner to ensure the safety of our citizens in Israel,” Vijayan said in his letter dated October 9. A Kerala-based woman working as a caregiver in Israel was also seriously injured in the Hamas attack and is presently hospitalised.