Operation Ajay: India to Repatriate Citizens From War-hit Israel, First Special Flight Today

India on Wednesday launched “Operation Ajay” to repatriate its citizens from Israel which is at war with the Palestine-based terrorist organisation Hamas.

Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar made the announcement regarding the operation on X, formerly Twitter, and said the Government of India is fully committed to the safety and well-being of Indian nationals abroad.

Under Operation Ajay, special charter flights will fly out of Israel to bring Indians back home.

Nearly 3,700 people have been killed in the war since Saturday when hundreds of Hamas militants stormed across the border from Gaza and killed hundreds.

A 24-hour Control Room has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs to monitor the situation and provide information and assistance.

Indian Embassy in Israel Asks Citizens to Remain Calm, Follow Security Advisories | Check Helpline Numbers

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Israel emailed the first lot of registered Indian citizens for the special flight on Thursday. Messages to other registered people will follow for subsequent flights, it said.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and provided an update on the ongoing situation in Israel which is under attack from the Hamas terrorist group.

During their conversation, PM Netanyahu reassured PM Modi about the safety and security of Indian citizens in Israel.

“I thank Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation. People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” PM Modi posted on social media site X (formerly Twitter).

This was the second time Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the terrorist attack on Israel. PM Modi on Saturday said: “Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour,” PM Modi said on October 7, on the same day Hamas launched a multi-pronged offensive against Israel, targeting civilians.

List of Countries Evacuating Citizens as Israel-Hamas War Rages

Thousands of foreigners find themselves stuck in Israel and across the Palestinian territories, where a full-blown war has erupted since Hamas militants launched their onslaught on Saturday.

With the violence having already claimed thousands of lives on both sides, several countries have launched operations to repatriate their citizens, while others plan to do so in the coming days.