Israel-Palestine War Updates: ‘Operation Ajay’ Evacuates Indians, Hamas Commander Eliminated, and More

The Israel-Palestine conflict continues to grip the world’s attention as the situation in the region remains highly volatile. Here are the latest updates on the ongoing crisis:

Operation Ajay: Evacuating Indians from War-Torn Israel

The second charter flight to repatriate Indian citizens stranded in Israel amid the ongoing war landed in New Delhi from Tel Aviv on Saturday morning under ‘Operation Ajay.’ A total of 235 Indian nationals, including two infants, arrived on the second flight. This repatriation effort is a crucial step to ensure the safe return of Indian citizens affected by the conflict.

Ongoing Tensions in Gaza

Amid the ongoing hostilities, thousands of Palestinians fled to southern Gaza in search of refuge. This mass movement was prompted by Israel’s warning to evacuate the area before an expected ground offensive against Hamas. The situation in Gaza remains extremely precarious, with both sides experiencing a high number of casualties.

Hamas Commander Eliminated

On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on X (formerly Twitter) that the Israeli Air Force successfully eliminated a top Hamas terrorist named Ali Qadi. Ali Qadi led the inhumane and barbaric October 7 massacre of civilians in Israel. The IDF stated, “All Hamas terrorists will meet the same fate.” According to the Israeli Air Force, Ali Qadi was neutralized in an airstrike based on information from the Military Intelligence Directorate and the Shin Bet security agency. He was a commander in the Nukhba unit of Hamas.

Escalation of Violence

The recent escalation of violence began on October 7 when hundreds of Hamas terrorists entered Israel through various means, including land, sea, and paragliders. They overwhelmed the Iron Dome missile defense system, firing over 5,000 rockets in just 20 minutes. Additionally, Hamas abducted numerous victims, holding them hostage in Gaza.

Retaliatory fire by Israeli forces has led to the discovery of over 1500 Hamas terrorists’ bodies in Israel and along the border. The death toll in the Hamas terror attack has surpassed 1300, with over 3,300 reported injuries. Tragically, most of the victims are civilians, as Hamas terrorists opened fire on civilian areas in Israel near the Gaza border.

Operation Vijay: Ensuring Safe Return of Indian Citizens

The government launched ‘Operation Ajay’ on October 11 to bring back stranded citizens from Israel. This initiative is a response to Air India and other airlines suspending all commercial operations to and from Israel as the war began on October 7. Under ‘Operation Ajay,’ special chartered flights will ensure the safe return of Indians affected by the conflict. The Indian Navy ships will also be deployed if the need arises.

Israel-India Emergency Contact Information:

In addition to these efforts, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has established a 24-hour control room in the national capital to monitor the situation in Israel and Palestine. The MEA has issued several helpline numbers for those in need of assistance:

• 24-Hour Control Room: 1800118797 (toll-free)
• Control Room Phone Numbers: +91-11 23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905, +919968291988
• Control Room Email: situationroom@mea.gov.in

The Indian embassy’s 24-hour emergency helpline can also be accessed at:

• Indian Embassy Phone Numbers: +972-35226748, +972-543278392
• Indian Embassy Email: cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in

The Israel-Palestine conflict remains a deeply complex and sensitive issue, and the international community continues to monitor the situation closely. Efforts to de-escalate tensions and facilitate the safe return of citizens are ongoing. Peaceful dialogue and negotiations are essential to achieving a lasting resolution in this troubled region.

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