Operation Ajay: Sixth flight with 143 passengers, including two Nepalese citizens, arrives in New Delhi
New Delhi [India], October 23 (ANI)
As Israel’s retaliatory strikes on Hamas in Gaza, following the terror attacks of October 7, entered its 15th day, a sixth flight carrying 143 Indian citizens arrived in New Delhi under ‘Operation Ajay’ on Sunday night.The evacuees, who returned by the Indian aircraft, included two Nepalese citizens.Sharing an update from his official handle on X, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Arindam Bagchi, posted, “6th #OperationAjay flight lands in New Delhi. 143 passengers, including 2 Nepalese citizens arrived onboard the flight. Welcomed by MoS @SteelMinIndia & @MoRD_GoI @fskulaste at the airport.”
The passengers were received by the Ministry of Steel, the Ministry of Rural Development, and Faggan Singh Kulaste at the New Delhi airport.The sixth flight carrying Indian nationals departed from Tel Aviv for Delhi on Sunday evening.’Operation Ajay’ is an ongoing Indian operation to evacuate citizens caught up in Israel amid the raging conflict with the terrorist organisation Hamas.Earlier, the fifth flight carrying 286 Indian nationals, including 18 Nepalese citizens, arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday late night.So far, about 1,200 passengers, including 18 Nepalese citizens, have been flown back safely from Israel under ‘Operation Ajay’ and more flights could be sent as per the requirements, the Ministry of External Affairs informed earlier.
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the central government was assessing the situation in Israel amid the ongoing war with Hamas.He refuted any reports of Indian casualties in Gaza, adding, however, that one Indian national was injured in the attacks.”I thankfully have not received any reports of any casualty…one Indian national had been injured and is receiving medical care, and I understand her condition is now stable,” he said.
The MEA spokesperson stated further that around four Indian nationals are in Gaza while another 12-13 are in West Bank.”There are around four Indian nationals in Gaza…we don’t have exact numbers and are coordinating. There are 12-13 Indian nationals in the West Bank…It’s a little tough to get out from Gaza. There are some reports that some have already got out of there, but we will wait for confirmation,” he said.The Indian nationals applauded the ongoing operation to repatriate citizens caught up in the conflict, saying there was support from the Indian embassy and the evacuation process was “nice and quick”.Following the Hamas attacks on Israel, the Indian embassy issued an advisory requesting citizens to be cautious and register their names with the consulate.
US President Biden, Israeli PM Netanyahu agree to continue flow of humanitarian aid into GazaWashington, DC [US], October 23 (ANI): US President Joe Biden held a telephonic conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, with both leaders affirming the need to ensure the continued flow of humanitarian aid and relief materials into Gaza.The White House shared a statement saying that President Biden called up Netanyahu to discuss developments in Gaza and in the surrounding region.”The leaders affirmed that there will now be a continued flow of this critical assistance into Gaza,” the White House statement said.
Meanwhile, President Biden welcomed the first two convoys of humanitarian assistance since Hamas’s October 7 terrorist attack.
According to the statement, the aid has crossed the border into Gaza and is being distributed to Palestinians in need.Moreover, Biden expressed appreciation for Israel’s support in helping to accommodate the release of two American hostages.The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed on Saturday the release of two US citizens, who were being held hostage by Hamas.
The two Americans released were identified as Judith Tai Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter, Natali Raanan, both from Chicago, according to CNN.Their family members said they had been visiting relatives in Nahal Oz, a farming community in southern Israel, and were released on “humanitarian grounds” due to the mother’s poor health.
Moreover, the two leaders discussed ongoing efforts to further secure the release of all the remaining hostages, including US citizens, taken by Hamas.They also discussed the way to provide safe passage for US citizens and other civilians in Gaza who wish to depart, according to the statement.”The President and the Prime Minister agreed to stay in close touch,” the White House statement added.As Israel continued to pound Hamas in Gaza, at least 14 trucks laden with items for humanitarian relief entered the Strip through the Rafah crossing on Monday, CNN reported.
These aid trucks were sponsored by the Egyptian Red Crescent and the United Nations.
An official with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Gaza confirmed to CNN that these trucks have been admitted and are currently being offloaded to proceed to the Gaza storage facilities of UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees.Earlier on Saturday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasised on Friday that facilitating the movement of aid into Gaza was among his top priorities over the past week. He noted that they worked diligently with the governments of Israel and Egypt. (ANI) RSS
