Special Charter Flight Arranged for Indians Stranded in Israel Amid Ongoing Conflict

In response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, the Indian government has arranged a special charter flight to facilitate the return of Indian citizens stranded in Israel. The first charter flight is set to depart from the Ben Gurion airport on Thursday evening.

Approximately 230 Indians residing in Israel will be allowed to board the flight on a “first come first serve” basis. This initiative is aimed at assisting those who were unable to return due to Air India’s suspension of its flights on the day the conflict began, with commercial operations remaining suspended until now.

Notably, the returnees will not be charged any fare for the journey, as the government is covering the cost of their return. The decision to organize this charter flight comes amidst the intense conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas militants. Israel has launched an unprecedented offensive against Hamas, with escalating violence leading to a significant loss of life on both sides.

The Indian embassy in Israel has already emailed the first batch of registered Indian citizens about the special flight, confirming that similar messages will follow for subsequent flights. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar took to social media to announce the launch of ‘Operation Ajay,’ emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Indian nationals abroad.

The Ben Gurion International Airport, situated on the northern outskirts of Lod, serves as the departure point for the special charter flight facilitating the return of Indians stranded in Israel.