First chartered flight expected to bring back around 230 people from Israel: MEA

The first chartered flight is expected to bring back around 230 people from Israel on Friday, said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi during the weekly press conference on Wednesday.

"Yesterday, operation Ajay was launched to facilitate our citizens who wish to come back. The first flight will reach Tel Aviv tonight and is likely to reach India tomorrow," said Bagchi.

India on Thursday launched 'Operation Ajay' to facilitate the return of Indians from Israel who wish to come back home.


According to estimates, around 18,000 Indians are currently residing in Israel.

Bagchi said the role of Indian Airforce can't be ruled out. "We have all options, but the role of IAF (in evacuation) can't be ruled out," he said.

He said there is conflict going on and it is a matter of concern. “Indians are advised to follow advisories issued by our mission in Tel Aviv."

"We haven’t heard of any casualty so far," the MEA spokesperson added.

“My understanding is about a dozen odd people are there in West Bank while 3-4 people are in Gaza. The number is very small. Mostly, we have received requests (to rescue) from Israel,” he said.

India has been very clear that it is a terrorist attack, he said.

“As far as Palestine is concerned, India has advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing the sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognised border side by side with Israel," Bagchi added.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) 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.