India Announces Operation Ajay for safe return of Indians trapped in Israel ; 230 Indians to fly out of Israel today

New Delhi: India has announced Operation Ajay for the safe return of Indians trapped in the ongoing fierce conflict between Israel and the extremist organization Hamas.

The inaugural charter flight aimed at repatriating Indian citizens stranded in Israel is scheduled to depart on Thursday evening from Ben Gurion Airport. This evacuation comes in the midst of escalating conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group, Hamas.

Approximately 230 Indian residents in Israel will board the 9 PM flight on Thursday on a "first-come, first-serve" basis, as reported by informed sources. This flight is arranged to facilitate the return of those who were unable to do so due to Air India's immediate suspension of flights when the conflict erupted on October 7. The commercial operation of Air India remains suspended.

Those returning will not bear any travel expenses; the government is covering the costs.

Israel has launched an unprecedented offensive against Hamas, following their incursion into Israeli territory through air, land, and sea on October 7.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar wrote on social media X (earlier Twitter), "Operation Ajay is being launched for citizens wishing to come to India from Israel. Special charter flights and other arrangements are being made. “We are fully committed to the safety and well-being of our citizens living abroad.”

After the tweet of the Foreign Minister, the Indian Embassy in Israel informed that an email has been sent to the citizens for registration for the flight of October 12.

There are more than 20 thousand Indians in Israel.

Earlier in the day, the ministry of external affairs said it has set up a round-the-clock control room in Delhi and separate emergency helplines in Tel Aviv and Ramallah to monitor the situation in Israel and Palestine and provide information and assistance to the Indian citizens.

The phone numbers of the control room in Delhi are 1800118797 (toll-free), +91-11 23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905 and +919968291988, and the e-mail ID is situationroom@mea.gov.in.