India has launched Operation Ajay to facilitate the return of citizens from Israel amid a full-blown war with the Hamas group in Gaza. Announcing the initiative late on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said special chartered flights are being arranged.
"Launching Operation Ajay 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,” S Jaishankar said in a post on X.
As per the external affairs ministry, around 18,000 Indians are currently residing in Israel.
EAM Jaishankar mentioned that he is in touch with his counterpart from the United Arab Emirates and discussed the issue in detail.
Amid the Israel-Hamas war, MEA has set up a round-the-clock control room in Delhi and separate emergency helplines in Tel Aviv to monitor the situation and provide information and assistance to Indians who may require help.
“A 24-hour control room has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs to monitor the situation and provide information and assistance,” the MEA said.
The phone numbers at the Delhi control room are 1800118797 (Toll free), +91-11 23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905m +919968291988 and the email is situationroom@mea.gov.in.
In addition, Embassy of India in Tel Aviv has set up a 24-hour emergency helpline, which can be accessed on phone numbers: +97235226748, +972-543278392 and email cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in.
