• Source:JND
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India on Wednesday launched 'Operation Ajay' to bring back its citizens stuck in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. The first batch of Indians is expected to return from Israel on Thursday on a special flight arranged by the Indian government. The registration of Indians for Operation Ajay is underway.

What is Operation Ajay?

Under 'Operation Ajay' Indians who are residing in Israel and wish to to return will be facilitated in this operation. There are around 18,000 Indians in Israel including students, professionals and traders.

"Launching #OperationAjay to facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to return. Special charter flights and other arrangements are being put in place. Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad," tweeted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Israel's Consulate General to Midwest India, Kobbi Shoshani congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching 'Operation Ajay', under which India plans to bring back around 18,000 Indians in Israel.

"I congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching Operation Ajay to bring Indian citizens back from Israel. There are around 18 thousand Indian citizens in Israel, including 1 thousand Indian students whom we love very much," he said.

Shoshani further emphasized that Israel loved and respected the Indian business community in Israel as it contributed a lot to their economy.

A 24-hour control room in New Delhi is monitoring the situation in Israel and Palestine and they have issued helpline numbers for the control room: 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 accessed on the numbers +972-35226748 and +972-543278392, and the email ID cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in.

Additionally, Israel's Consulate General stressed that the Israeli government is doing its best to assist the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv in Operation Ajay. "Indian nurses and caregivers have become part of our families. The Israeli government is doing its utmost to assist the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv in Operation Ajay. We look forward to welcoming all of you back in Israel once we win the war against Hamas ISIS terrorists," he said.

This is not the first time that India has launched such operations to bring back its citizens from the war zone, pandemics and natural calamities.

Israel has launched a counter-offensive against Hamas in response to the latter's attack on Saturday that left over 1,200 Israelis dead and is aiming to eliminate the terror group completely.