New Delhi, India – A chartered flight carrying the first batch of Indian citizens who found themselves stranded in Israel due to the ongoing conflict with Hamas arrived in Delhi on Friday morning. Departing from Israel’s Ben Gurion airport on Thursday night, this repatriation flight marked the commencement of “Operation Ajay.”
Operation Ajay Begins
Operation Ajay, initiated by the Indian government, aims to bring back citizens who were caught in the crossfire of the Israel-Hamas conflict. With commercial flight operations suspended to and from Israel since the outbreak of the war on October 7, the operation is a welcome lifeline for those awaiting a return to their homeland.
The first flight, bearing 212 passengers, touched down in India, where the repatriated citizens expressed their gratitude for the government’s efforts to ensure their safe return. Videos shared by news agency ANI captured the heartening scene as passengers chanted ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Mataram’ slogans upon their arrival.
Relieved and Grateful Citizens
The repatriated Indians, who endured tense circumstances in Israel, expressed their relief and appreciation upon landing. One passenger conveyed, “This is the first time that we are facing such a situation over there. We are very thankful to the Indian government, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for bringing us back. We are hoping for peace as soon as possible so that we can go back to work as early as possible.”
Another passenger, Shashwat Singh, who has been residing in Israel since 2019, shared his experiences, saying, “We woke up to the sounds of air raid sirens. We stay in central Israel. I don’t know what shape this conflict will take.”
One particularly touching account was that of an Indian woman pursuing a post-doctorate course in Israel, who returned to India with her 5-month-old son. She explained, “We live in the southern part of the city. It’s safe…But because of him (her son) we decided to come back to India.” Describing the day of the Hamas attacks on Israel, she recalled, “On the first day, we were sleeping, and at around 6:30, there was a siren. For the two years we had been there, we had not experienced that much chaos. And with my son, it is hard. But we managed…We ran to a shelter and were there for I guess two hours when we heard another siren.”
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A Lifeline for Stranded Indians
Operation Ajay is providing much-needed support to Indians stranded in Israel, where over 18,000 Indian citizens, including students, professionals, and traders, are residing. Special chartered flights will be instrumental in bringing them back to their homeland. Additionally, the Indian Navy ships are on standby to assist with the evacuation if the need arises.
As the conflict continues to unfold, the Indian government remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad, offering them a path back to the security of their own country.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on reports and statements available at the time of writing and does not necessarily represent the opinions of the author or the publication.