Operation Ajay: First Batch Of Indians To Fly Out Of Israel On October 12

India launched Operation Ajay on October 11 to bring back Indians from Israel as Israel retaliated against Hamas’s attack that began on October 7, thus escalating the conflict.

Israel had declared war against Hamas and set up a war cabinet, while Hamas stated it was ready for a long-drawn conflict. As Israel’s strategic partner, India condemned the Hamsa attack, and PM Modi expressed solidarity with Israel.

As soon as the conflict broke out, the external affairs minister alerted Indians living in Israel to exercise caution. The ministry introduced a helpline number on the fifth day of the conflict as India launched Operation Ajay.

Everything You Need To Know About Operation Ajay

Operation Ajay is technically not an evacuation operation. It is an operation that aims to repatriate Indian citizens from Israel.

India has arranged specially chartered flights to bring Indians back home, and navy ships will be deployed if needed.

Indians in Israel who desire to return home will be facilitated by this operation. About 18,000 Indians are in Israel, including students. Professionals and traders

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar tweeted on October 11 about the launch of Operation Ajay, saying that it will facilitate the return of Indians who wish to return from Israel. Special charter flights and other arrangements are being put in place, and the government is fully committed to the safety and well-being of our citizens abroad. He also spoke to the UAE’s foreign minister, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed, regarding the same.

Launching #OperationAjay to facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to return.

Special charter flights and other arrangements being put in place.

Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 11, 2023

The first flight will leave for Israel from India on October 12, as the embassy in Tel Aviv emailed the first batch of registered Indians in Israel. The mission noted that messages to other registered people will follow for subsequent flights. The first batch of Indians is expected to be brought back to India in a special flight on October 12.

VIDEO | "There are around 18,000 Indian citizens in Israel, including 1,000 students whom we love very much. The Indian business community, whom we love and respect very much, contribute to our economy in a big way. The Israeli government is doing the utmost to assist the Indian… pic.twitter.com/ySwaR5715Z

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 12, 2023

Israel’s Consul General in Mumbai, Kobbi Shoshani, said that he has received no information of any Indians being injured or killed in the ongoing conflict.

Actor Nushrratt Bharuccha was in Israel to attend the Haifa International Film Festival when the conflict began. She landed back safely in India.

Notably, about 27 Meghalayans, including Rajya Sabha member Wanweiroy Kharlukhi, were stranded in Bethlehem when the conflict broke out in Israel. The Ministry has made arrangements for their safe passage into Egypt.

A 24-hour control room in Delhi is monitoring the situation in Palestine. The phone numbers for the control room and email addresses have been made public.

The phone numbers for the control room are 1800118797 (toll-free), +91-11-23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905, and +919968291988, and the email ID is situationroom@mea.gov.in. The Indian Embassy’s 24-hour emergency helpline can be reached at +972-35226748 or +972-543278392, and the email ID is cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in.

Suggested Reading: Israel-Palestine Conflict: Indian Nurse Injured In Gaza Attack