India Starts Operation Ajay to Bring Home Citizens

Amid the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict and the growing urgency to evacuate their nationals from the conflict zone, India has announced the commencement of “Operation Ajay” on Wednesday. This operation is aimed at repatriating Indian citizens currently in Israel and Palestine, and it is set to begin on Thursday.

Under the initiative of “Operation Ajay,” the Indian government will coordinate the return of Indian citizens through dedicated charter flights. Additionally, if the situation necessitates, Indian Navy vessels will also be deployed to facilitate the evacuation.

“Launching #OperationAjay to facilitate the return of our citizens to Israel who wish to return,” said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on social media. The government has put in place special charter flights and other arrangements to ensure that our nationals are safe and well-cared for abroad.”

The Indian embassy in Tel Aviv has initiated the process by reaching out to the first batch of registered Indian citizens through email, notifying them of a special flight scheduled for Thursday. The embassy intends to send messages to other registered individuals for subsequent flights as the evacuation efforts continue.

Jaishankar also held discussions with UAE’s Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, during an evening conversation on Wednesday. The conversation primarily revolved around the ongoing crisis in West Asia, with both ministers acknowledging the importance of maintaining communication.

Notably, this exchange marked the first contact between Jaishankar and a Foreign Minister from an Arab nation since Hamas initiated attacks on Israel on October 7, resulting in substantial casualties, particularly among civilians.

It’s worth mentioning that the UAE and Bahrain have voiced their criticism of Hamas for the attacks, reflecting their stance on the matter.

Earlier on Wednesday, officials informed The Indian Express that India had initiated “contingency” measures to ensure the safety of its citizens in Israel and Palestine, which included a small number of residents in Gaza.

The Ministry of External Affairs took the initial step by establishing a 24-hour control room on the same day, particularly as Israel continued its airstrikes on Hamas-controlled Gaza.

The primary objective of this control room is to actively monitor the situation and offer vital information and support to those affected.

According to a statement released by the MEA, the contact details for the control room in New Delhi are as follows: 1800118797 (toll-free), +91-11 23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905, +919968291988, and situationroom@mea.gov.in.

Concurrently, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv has established a 24-hour emergency helpline accessible at +972-35226748, +972-543278392, and via email at cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in.

India’s Representative Office in Ramallah has also implemented a 24-hour emergency helpline, reachable at +970-592916418, and it’s also available on WhatsApp. For correspondence, you can contact them at rep.ramallah@mea.gov.in.

Additionally, the embassy has issued a reminder to Indian nationals in Israel to complete their registration with the embassy by using the following link: https://indembassyisrael.gov.in/whats?id=dwjwb.

It’s noteworthy that there are approximately 18,000 Indian citizens residing and engaged in various activities in Israel. This includes a significant number of caregivers, as well as around 1,000 students, numerous IT professionals, and diamond traders.

The established control rooms will play a pivotal role in assessing the count of Indian nationals in Israel and Palestine, determining their current locations, and gauging their willingness to be evacuated from these areas in light of the ongoing situation.

On Tuesday, during a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns about the safety and security of Indian citizens in Israel. In response, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) noted in a statement that Netanyahu assured full cooperation and support.

This crucial exchange prompted the Indian government to initiate preparations for potential evacuation plans to ensure the safety of Indian citizens in the region.

As the two leaders agreed to maintain close communication, Indian Ambassador to Israel, Sanjeev Singla, conveyed in a recorded message on X, “I want to reassure you that the embassy is diligently working to ensure your safety and well-being. We are all going through challenging times, but I urge you to remain composed and alert while adhering to local security advisories.”

He continued, “Our team is here to provide assistance, and we are genuinely appreciative of the many messages of gratitude we’ve received from you. Stay tuned for updates from the embassy as we closely monitor the situation. Jai Hind.”

Concurrently, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv has arrived out to a custodian from Kerala who was harmed during the rocket shelling in Ashdod last Saturday, coinciding with the Hamas attack. The embassy has maintained continuous contact with her and her family in India. Members of the Indian community in Israel have also been visiting her in the hospital, and her condition is reported to be stable.

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