Operation Ajay's inaugural flight safely returns 212 Indians stranded in Israel

New Delhi: The first flight conducted under 'Operation Ajay' successfully transported 212 Indians who had been stranded in Israel due to the ongoing conflict.

This flight, which marked a crucial milestone in the repatriation efforts, touched down in New Delhi today.

Passengers for this mission were selected on a "first come first serve" basis. The Indian embassy had launched a dedicated registration drive for all Indian citizens, urging them to enrol in the mission's database. The Indian government, in a show of support, is covering the expenses for their return.

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar was present at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the national capital to extend a warm welcome to those rescued through 'Operation Ajay'.

This flight operation became necessary when Air India suspended its flights on the day hostilities erupted on October 7. Subsequently, the commercial operations of Air India have remained suspended. 'Operation Ajay' emerged as a lifeline for the stranded Indians.

Speaking about the relief brought by the operation, Shubham Kumar, an Indian student in Israel, expressed gratitude, saying, "We are thankful to India... Most of the students were a little bit panicked. Suddenly we saw some notifications and links for every Indian citizen through the embassy of India which boosted our morale. We felt like the embassy of India was connected with us, which was a kind of relief to us. And then we got all the arrangements." reported PTI.

Despite the successful evacuation of the first batch, there is still a substantial queue of Indians, including students, waiting at the Tel Aviv airport for their opportunity to board a special flight operating under the banner of 'Operation Ajay'.

Tensions in the region intensified when Israel launched an extensive offensive against the Hamas group in the Gaza Strip. This development occurred after Hamas fighters breached the border fence and initiated a substantial incursion into the southern regions of Israel via air, land, and sea on October 7.

Israel's military presence around Gaza has grown significantly, with approximately 300,000 personnel positioned outside the territory. The possibility of a major ground offensive looms as Israel aims to neutralise the militant group responsible for an attack that claimed the lives of at least 1,200 individuals.

In the Gaza Strip, which is under the rule of Hamas, the conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life, with at least 1,417 casualties, including women and children, as reported by local authorities.

Amid this challenging situation, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has called for international humanitarian support for Gaza and urged Gazans to remain steadfast on their land.