Kochi: Even as fighting between Israeli forces and the Palestinian group Hamas intensified, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, on Sunday said that the Indians in Israel can contact the Indian embassy for any help.
Speaking to mediapersons he appealed to Indians in Israel to stay in safe shelters and follow the advisory by the Ministry of External Affairs. “Instructions have been already given (to Indians in Israel). An advisory has been issued by the Indian Embassy that all our citizens should be cautious and, for any requirement, they should inform and be in touch with the Indian Embassy,” he said.
The Indian embassy in Jerusalem and the Representative Office of India in Palestine on Saturday issued advisories asking Indian nationals in respective countries to “remain vigilant” and “directly contact the Office” in case of emergency. “In view of the current situation in Israel, all Indian nationals in Israel are requested to remain vigilant and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities. Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary movement, and stay close to safety shelters,” the Embassy said in its advisory – issued in English, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada languages.
Those who need any urgent help are urged to contact the Indian embassy in Israel on +97235226748 or leave a message at cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in.
According to the details on the website of the Indian Embassy, around 18,000 Indian citizens are currently in Israel, which include caregivers employed by Israeli elders, diamond traders, IT professionals and students.
The Israel-Palestine conflict escalated dramatically as the armed wing of Hamas launched “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” firing over 5,000 rockets into Israel, and rampaged through its towns in a surprise attack on Saturday, which claimed more than 200 lives. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a “state of war” and vowed to avenge what he said was a “black day” for Israel.
Meanwhile, Israel has claimed to have killed more than 400 militants and captured dozens of militants of the Palestinian group Hamas in retaliatory airstrikes in Gaza during its ‘Operation Iron Swords’.