Operation Sindhu: MEA announces directives to evacuate its citizens from Israel

New Delhi (India) June 20: India has made the decision to remove its citizens who want to leave Israel due to the ongoing confrontation with Iran and the resulting security situation.

The MEA stated in a statement that the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv would help Indian people who are currently in Israel and want to go back home. The ministry promised that every preparation is being made to guarantee their safety.

New Delhi decided to evacuate its residents after a hospital in the Israeli city of Beersheba was hit by an Iranian missile.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “In view of the recent developments between Israel and Iran, the government of India has decided to evacuate from Israel those Indian nationals who wish to leave. Their travel from Israel to India will be facilitated through the land borders and thereafter by air to India” in a statement.

MEA also added, “The Embassy of India in Tel Aviv would be making arrangements for the evacuation of Indians. All Indian nationals are requested to register themselves with the Embassy of India in Tel Aviv at (https://www.indembassyisrael.gov.in/indian_national_reg), if not already registered. 

In case of any queries, they may contact the 24/7 Control Room established at Embassy of India, Tel Aviv: telephone numbers: +972 54-7520711; +972 54-3278392; email: [email protected].”

The Indian embassy in Israel also restated its previous advice and asked all Indian nationals living there to exercise caution and adhere closely to Israeli security orders.

The MEA said, “The Government of India accords the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely. The Embassy remains continuously in touch with the community with a view to extending all feasible assistance” in a statement.

According to sources in New Delhi, the first group of Indians evacuated from Israel may be airlifted shortly after they pass into Egypt. 

India declared on Wednesday that it was beginning "Operation Sindhu" to evacuate its citizens from Iran, as the country's war with Israel continued to escalate.

As part of Operation Sindhu, 110 students were evacuated from northern Iran and arrived in India earlier on Thursday. Another batch of Indians has been evacuated across the Iran-Turkmenistan border from Qom to Mashhad. After they reach into Turkmenistan, they will probably be airlifted. Approximately 10,000 Indians currently reside in Iran. Israel has about 26,000 Indians.

Israel's "Operation Rising Lion," which involved a series of surprise strikes against Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, marked the beginning of the conflict between Iran and Israel. Israel defended its actions by claiming that Iran was dangerously close to developing nuclear weapons, endangering Israel's security.

Aadrika Tayal