As the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas continues to escalate, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that a charter flight will reach Tel Aviv on Thursday, 12 October, evening to evacuate Indian citizens from Israel.
"It is expected to get 230 passengers onboard. We have all options, but the role of IAF (in evacuation) can't be ruled out," he added.
Bagchi said:
"As announced by EAM yesterday, Operation Ajay has been launched to facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to come back. The first charter flight will be reaching Tel Aviv later tonight to pick up the Indian citizens and is likely to return to India tomorrow morning..."
On Wednesday night, Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that New Delhi has launched 'Operation Ajay' to help "facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to return."
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Israel said that they have sent emails to registered Indian citizens for a "special flight" on Thursday, 12 October.
"Messages to other registered people will follow for subsequent flights," the Indian mission wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
'Haven't Heard of Any Casualty So Far'
While mentioning that close to 18,000 Indians are present in Israel and an advisory India released when the violence started, MEA Spokesperson Bagchi said, "We haven’t heard of any casualty so far."
"There is a universal obligation to observe international humanitarian law. There is also a global responsibility to fight the menace of terrorism in all its forms & manifestations," Bagchi added, addressing the ministry's weekly press briefing.
Moreover, he added that while India is bringing it's citizens back from Israel, the ministry has not received any requests from West Bank or Gaza.
What's India's Stand On the Conflict?
While answering a question about India's stand on the conflict, Bagchi said, "Our policy in this regard has been long-standing and consistent. India has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side by side at peace with Israel"
On Tuesday, 10 October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi India said that India "strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations."
"I thank Prime Minister Netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation. People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour," Modi posted on his 'X' handle.
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