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‘Fauda’ actor Idan Amedi, who plays undercover agent Sagi Tzur, joins active combat duty to defend Israel against Hamas: Watch

OpIndia Staff
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‘Fauda’ actor Idan Amedi, who plays undercover agent Sagi Tzur, joins active combat duty to defend Israel against Hamas: Watch

Idan Amedi, an Israeli singer-songwriter and actor best known for playing Sagi Tzur, a new undercover operative for the Israel Defense Force, in the immensely popular television action series ‘Fauda’, has joined Israel’s active combat force to serve his nation on the field against the Hama terrorist attack.

This comes after Lior Raz, actor and producer of Netflix’s Israeli series ‘Fauda’ returned to front-line duty by joining a group of volunteers ‘Brothers in Arms’ to fight against the Islamist terrorist organisation Hamas.

In a video message shared by the official X account for the ‘Fauda’ series, the actor is seen donning the war outfit and reassuring his fellow Israeli civilians.

In the video, the ‘Fauda’ actor Idan Amedi is heard saying, “To the nation of Israel and all IDF soldiers both reservists and active duty soldiers, Idan Amedi here. As you can see, I am in a slightly different attire today. This is not a scene from Fauda. This is real life. Our Army was called up on Saturday morning, as the event in the South of Israel began and I wanted to tell you that alongside the horrifying and vicious attacks, wherein our friends and loved ones were murdered, our morale remains high. We fully comprehend why we are here, we are here to protect our children, our families and our homes and I want to promise you that we will not surrender until we win. I also want to sincerely thank all citizens all this dear country who send us care packages around the clock. Millions of items are sent to us daily, as well as beautiful written letters to us and drawings from the children. Thank you very much, It gives us strength and I love you, and hope we will see quieter days soon.

SS of Idan Amedi’s Instagram story (Source: Sondakika.com)

Fauda actor Lior Raz joins volunteer group ‘Brothers in Arms’ to defend Israel from Hamas terrorist attack

Prior to him, Israeli actor Lior Raz, who is also the producer of the television series ‘Fauda,’ in which he drew on experiences in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), took to the front lines of Israel’s war against Hamas by joining a group of volunteers ‘Brothers in Arms’.

From the southern Israeli town of Sderot, the actor, who is a former Israeli special forces unit soldier, shared a video on social media that showed him accompanied by the president of the Israel Democracy Institute Yohanan Plesner, and journalist Avi Yissascharov.

Notably, apart from Lior Raz and Idan Amedi other ‘Fauda’ stars namely Tomer Capone, Yaakov Zada Daniel, Tzachi Halevi have also returned to front-line duty.

‘Fauda’ actor Guy Shalom told The Hollywood Reporter that the period piece Netflix series, set in the 1970s during the Yom Kippur War, is now mirroring the reality of present-day Israel. ‘Fauda,’ which launched in 2015, follows an undercover anti-terrorist unit in the West Bank. A fifth season was announced in September 2023.

“I played a soldier guarding an Israeli outpost who suffers a surprise Egyptian attack during the Yom Kippur War. Who would have thought that 50 years later, Guy, the civilian, would feel just like my character, Yaron, the soldier?” Shalom said. “On Saturday morning I was awakened by sirens, and along with the sound came Hamas fighters.”

Israel Hamas war

The Hamas terrorists launched an unprovoked terrorist attack on Israel on October 7. They struck simultaneously from the air, sea, and on land, taking the Israelis by surprise. The death toll in the Hamas terror attack in Israel, which includes mostly innocent civilians including women and children, has crossed 1300, as per the latest reports, while over 3,300 are injured. Several gut-wrenching videos of the brutal massacre of innocent Israeli civilians have flooded the internet since the time the Hamas terrorists engaged in the bloodbath.

In retaliation, Israel also launched a counterattack on the Gaza Strip and struck hundreds of Hamas sites. Israel has according to reports mobilised 3,00,000 troops. This is the largest mobilisation since the 1973 Yom Kippur War when Israel called up 400,000 reservists.

‘Evacuate south for your own safety’: Israel warns 1.1 million Palestinians of north Gaza to move to the south of Wadi Gaza within 24 hours

OpIndia Staff
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‘Evacuate south for your own safety’: Israel warns 1.1 million Palestinians of north Gaza to move to the south of Wadi Gaza within 24 hours

After bombing Hamas sites in the Gaza Strip for almost a week following the horrific terror attack on Israel on 7 October, the Israeli Defence Force seems to be preparing for a ground invasion of northern Gaza. In an advance warning of the same, IDF has warned civilians living in northern Gaza to evacuate to the southern part of the strip in just 24 hours.

IDF issued a public notice on its X (Twitter) handle, calling for the evacuation of all civilians from Gaza City to the south of Wadi Gaza. It said that the civilians should evacuated for their own safety and protection. IDF added that Gaza city residents will be able to return only after it is allowed. The IDF also warned civilians against approaching the security fence along the Gaza-Israel border.

Notably, Wadi Gaza is a small stream that divides Gaza into two parts and flows in the Meditation Sea.

IDF said that Hamas terrorists are hiding in tunnels underneath houses and inside buildings with civilians, adding that it will continue to operate significantly in Gaza City and make extensive efforts to avoid harming civilians.

The public announcement by IDF said,

The IDF calls for the evacuation of all civilians of Gaza City from their homes southwards for their own safety and protection and move to the area south of the Wadi Gaza, as shown on the map.
The Hamas terrorist organization waged a war against the State of Israel and Gaza City is an area where military operations take place. This evacuation is for your own safety.
You will be able to return to Gaza City only when another announcement permitting it is made. Do not approach the area of the security fence with the State of Israel.
Hamas terrorists are hiding in Gaza City inside tunnels underneath houses and inside buildings populated with innocent Gazan civilians.
Civilians of Gaza City, evacuate south for your own safety and the safety of your families and distance yourself from Hamas terrorists who are using you as human shields.
In the following days, the IDF will continue to operate significantly in Gaza City and make extensive efforts to avoid harming civilians.

The public announcement came after IDF delivered the same warning to UN in Gaza, asking all residents of Gaza City to evacuate within 24 hours and move south Wadi Gaza. As per reports, IDF notified the United Nations office in Gaza at midnight on Friday that the entire Palestinian population north of Wadi Gaza should relocate to southern Gaza within 24 hours, a UN spokesperson said. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement in New York that nearly 1.1 million Palestinians live in northern Gaza, including the Gaza city.

Gaza’s population is around 2.3 million, which means around half the population have been asked to evacuate northern Gaza including Gaza City.

IDF also asked UN staff and people staying UN shelters to relocate south. The UN spokesperson informed the media that the warning was delivered by UN liaison officers in IDF to team leaders of the UN Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the UN’s Department of Safety and Security in Gaza

However, the UN has requested IDF to rescind the order, saying that it is impossible for over a million to move in such a short period. The spokesperson said, “The United Nations considers it impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences. The United Nations strongly appeals for any such order, if confirmed, to be rescinded avoiding what could transform what is already a tragedy into a calamitous situation.”

But IDF has refused to rescind the evacuation notice, and took to its X (Twitter) handle to make a public announcement of the same. Slamming the UN over the issue, Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., Gilad Erdan, said: “The UN’s response to Israel’s early warning to the residents of Gaza is shameful.”

Salama Marouf, head of the Hamas government media office, said the IDF’s relocation warning was an attempt by Israel “to broadcast and pass on fake propaganda, aiming to sow confusion among citizens and harm our internal cohesion.” He urged residents to not leave their houses. Marouf said, “We urge our citizens not to engage in these attempts”.

‘Make Israel stop hitting Hamas in Gaza, Islam and Judaism do not support killing innocents’: Chief of Ajmer Dargah asks UN, Modi govt

ANI
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‘Make Israel stop hitting Hamas in Gaza, Islam and Judaism do not support killing innocents’: Chief of Ajmer Dargah asks UN, Modi govt

 The spiritual head of Ajmer Dargah, Hazrat Dewan Syed Zainul Abedin, on Thursday urged the United Nations and the Union government to intervene and bring a halt to the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza after deadly terror attacks by the terrorist group Hamas killed over 1,300 and more than 3,300 injured.

Expressing deep concern over the lives lost on both sides in the wake of the terror attacks and the subsequent Israeli retaliation, Abedin said the killings were unjustified and are not consistent with the preachings of Islam and Judaism.

The spiritual head of Ajmer Dargah was quoted as saying in a statement, “I appeal to the UN and Indian government to immediately intervene and bring hostilities to a halt in Israel and Palestine. The loss of lives of innocent people is unjustified and highly condemnable. It is against the teachings of both Islam and Judaism.”

“I appeal with folded hands to both sides to stop this bloodshed for the sake of their respective religion and humanity. Every religion must detest violence in any form. Loss of innocent lives is strictly forbidden in Islam. This war must stop to safeguard innocent lives,” he added in the statement.

“This is not an era of war. Peaceful dialogue is the only way out. It’s not about who won or lost. It’s about respecting each other’s rights and boundaries in order to safeguard HUMANITY FROM PERISHING. While as Muslims, we pray for safeguarding Muslim lives, we must also remember, Muslim or not, human life is very dear to Allah and scores of killings won’t grant us Allah’s favour,” he stated further.

While coming out in support of the “legitimate rights of the Palestinian people”, he said, “Being a Muslim I stand with the legitimate rights of Palestinian people but not with those who take guns into their hands and kill innocent people. The community should intervene and maintain the peace on the ground immediately.”

Meanwhile, as Israel’s counter-offensive against Hamas entered its seventh day, the Israeli Air Force said its fighter jets targeted Hamas operatives and destroyed military posts of the terror outfit.

At least 1,537 Palestinians have, so far, been killed and another 6,612 injured in the retaliatory air strikes by the Israeli forces, CNN reported citing the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.

At least 36 people have died and more than 650 injured in the aerial assault in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

US govt is asking Americans stuck in Israel to pay for evacuation, making them sign an agreement: Details

OpIndia Staff
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US govt is asking Americans stuck in Israel to pay for evacuation, making them sign an agreement: Details

The US State Department has announced evacuation plans to help Americans leave Israel amid the raging war with Hamas. The US government will arrange charter flights starting Friday (13th October) to assist U.S. citizens and their immediate family members who cannot book commercial transit and seek a safe means of departing Israel.

“From these locations, individuals will be able to make their own onward travel arrangements to the destination of their choice,” the statement read. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said while details on the flights are still being worked out, US citizens will be flown out from Israel “to sites in Europe” starting Friday.

Screenshot of the “crisis intake form” released by the US State Department

However, there’s a catch. Interestingly, those Americans seeking assistance to leave Israel will have to fill out a “crisis intake form” and reportedly “sign an agreement to repay the US government prior to departure, ” which US law requires.

The “crisis intake form” for US citizens in Israel, accessed by OpIndia, provides four options under the Request Service section. When you select the third option which is for seeking assistance to leave, a new section “Additional Assistance” opens up. Under this section, the aid that has been provided is that of a loan from the US government to buy a commercial ticket.

Americans will also have to make their own arrangements for accommodation in whichever country they arrive. X user by the name of ‘The Meturgeman’ took to the social media platform to share screenshots of the purported emails from the Consular Affairs Crisis Management System (CACMS).

Part of the email reads, “Travelers should be prepared to arrange their own lodging at the safe location and pay for their own onward travel from the third country to their chosen destination. Departure assistance is provided via a loan from the US government which requires travellers to sign a promissory note (an agreement to repay) prior to departure.”

The Meturgeman shared an updated email from the CACMS stating that if Americans choose to take the departure assistance, transportation will be by air to Athens or Frankfurt, or sea from Haifa to Cyprus. “You will not be able to choose your destination – we will assign you to the next available flight or ship,” the email reads.

According to abc news, commercial airlines like Delta Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines are in touch with the State Department to help set up flights for evacuation.

On Wednesday (11th October), the State Department updated its advisory for travel for Israel and the West Bank to a level 3, “reconsider travel”. due to “terrorism and civil unrest” and it currently has a “do not travel” advisory for Gaza. The death toll of Americans killed in the terrorist attack by Hamas on 7th October has risen to 27. At least 14 Americans are missing even as the US is trying to ascertain the details of a possible hostage situation.

France, Germany prohibit pro-Palestine protests as hatred against Jewish citizens intensifies in Europe owing to Hamas’ call for Jihad

OpIndia Staff
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France, Germany prohibit pro-Palestine protests as hatred against Jewish citizens intensifies in Europe owing to Hamas’ call for Jihad

On Thursday (13th October), the Interior Minister of France Gérald Darmanin announced a ban on the pro-Palestininan protests in the country amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Minister Darmanin has ordered the local authorities to enforce a ban on all pro-Palestinian demonstrations to maintain law and order.

Meanwhile, French President Emanuel Macron has urged the people of France to stay united and not to add “national fractures to international fractures.”

“This event is an earthquake for Israel, the Middle East and beyond. It is this shield of unity that will protect us from drifting away and from all hatred. Let us not bring ideological adventures to France by imitation or by projection. Let us not add national fractures to international fractures,″ Macron said.

Historically, fighting in the Middle East has heightened tensions in France, which is reported to have the world’s third-biggest Jewish population behind Israel and the United States, as well as the largest Muslim population in Western Europe.

During the televised address, President Macron stated that 13 French citizens had been killed in Israel during the ongoing conflict, with 17 persons still missing, many of whom are suspected of being taken captive by Hamas. Meanwhile, the Paris prosecutor’s office launched an investigation into the killings and suspected kidnappings.

Since Hamas attacked Israel on 7th October, the French government has reported 24 arrests for more than 100 antisemitic crimes in France, including verbal abuse, people captured with knives near Jewish schools and synagogues, and a drone fitted with a camera discovered over a Jewish cultural centre. An online watchdog has received almost 2,000 reports of antisemitic speech.

Notwithstanding the ban, there was a sizable crowd of pro-Palestinian protestors in Paris on Thursday. Ten people were arrested and water cannons were used to disperse the 3,000-person gathering at Place de la République, where demonstrators raised anti-Israel slogans like “Israel murderer” and “Palestine will win”.

Germany bans anti-Israel protests

On Thursday, 12th October, Germany declared a ban on pro-Hamas activities, as well as banned “Samidoun”, a pro-Hamas group that openly hailed the onslaught against Israel. Earlier, radicals affiliated with the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network gathered in the Berlin-Neukölln district and distributed sweets to celebrate Hamas’s attack on Israel. Notably, the Samidoun group has a history of organising gatherings glorifying Palestinian terrorism.

Germany has also authorised Israel’s request to use two leased drones in its operation against Hamas. 

Chancellor Olaf Scholz informed parliament that anyone who supports Hamas, uses its insignia, or burns Israeli flags will be prosecuted, and that authorities will “bring anyone who does such things to justice.”

UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman proposes ban on raising Palestinian flags, London Police rejects

In a letter to police chiefs, dated 10th October, UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman said that waving Palestinian flags and using popular pro-Palestine slogans could be illegal under the Public Order Act.

“Behaviours that are legitimate in some circumstances, for example, the waving of a Palestinian flag, may not be legitimate such as when intended to glorify acts of terrorism. Nor is it acceptable to drive through Jewish neighbourhoods, or single out Jewish members of the public, to aggressively chant or wave pro-Palestinian symbols at. Where harassment is identified, I would encourage the police to take swift and appropriate enforcement action,” the letter stated.

London Police, however, rejected the Home Secretary’s proposed ban on displaying Palestinian flags. Deputy Commissioner Dame Lynne Owens has committed to safeguarding the Jewish community. However, Owens said that her officers would not take automatic action against Palestinian flag-waving demonstrators. Dame Lynne reiterated the Metropolitan Police’s position in an open letter to London’s Jewish communities.

On Monday, three Palestine supporters were arrested in London during protests outside the Israel Embassy. On Wednesday, four were arrested outside Manchester Central Library in St. Peter’s Square during an anti-Israel protest.

Israel Hamas War

The death toll in the Hamas terror attack in Israel has crossed 1300, as per the latest reports, while over 3,300 are injured. Most of the victims are civilians, as Hamas terrorists opened fire on civilian areas in Israel near the Gaza border. Hamas also abducted a large number of victims, holding them as hostages in Gaza. Bodies of over 1500 Hamas terrorists have been located in Israel and along the border, killed in retaliatory fire by Israeli forces.

Hundreds of Hamas terrorists entered Israel through land, sea and even using paragliders, after overwhelming the Iron Dome missile defence system of Israel by firing over 5000 rockets in just 20 minutes. Israel has launched a massive attack on Gaza Strip following the terror attack and has struck hundreds of Hamas sites. Israel has also cut power and water supply to Gaza, and have prevented entry of supplies to the landlocked coastal strip.

Hamas has declared Friday, 13th of October as the day for global Jihad, and has been instigating antisemitic sentiments around the world.

Enforcement Directorate and IT Department raids ‘Lottery Martin’, who caused the Sikkim govt loss of ₹910 crores in lottery scam case

OpIndia Staff
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Enforcement Directorate and IT Department raids ‘Lottery Martin’, who caused the Sikkim govt loss of ₹910 crores in lottery scam case

On Thursday (12th October), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax Department raided four locations, belonging to Santiago Martin aka ‘Lottery Martin’ at Gandhipuram and Vellakinar Pirivu in Coimbatore city of Tamil Nadu.

The raids were conducted as part of the investigation into the Sikkim lottery scam case under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The four locations include the residence of Lottery Martin, two offices of Martin Group of Companies and the premises of Martin Homeopathy College.

The raids continued from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday (12th October). In order to prevent any untoward incident, CISF personnel were deployed at these four places. Searches were also conducted at locations, belonging to the lottery kingpin, in Chennai.

As per a report by ANI, income tax raids were carried out for the second day at the residence of ‘Lottery Martin’ on Friday (13th October).

The Background of the Case

Santiago Martin is accused of causing a loss of ₹910,29,87,566 (~ ₹910.29 crores) to the Sikkim government through the fraudulent sale of lottery tickets in the State of Kerala between April 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010.

“Martin and his associate companies and entities made unlawful gains with a corresponding loss to the government of Sikkim to the extent of ₹ 910 crore on account of inflating the prize-winning tickets claim for the period from 01.04.2009 to 31.08.2010,” the ED said in a statement in May 2023.

At that time, the central agency seized his movable properties (mutual funds and fixed deposits) worth ₹157.7 crores and documents of immovable properties to the tune of ₹299.16 crores.

In December 2021, the Enforcement Directorate attached ₹19.59 crore worth of his properties under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Two years earlier in 2019, raids were conducted by the IT Department on 70 premises of ‘Lottery Martin’ across the country.

A former daily-wage labourer in Yangon in Myanmar, Santiago Martin went on to establish a ₹7000 crore ‘lottery’ business. He has been under the radar of investigative agencies since 2011 for financial fraud and money laundering.

USA: Students start petition to remove Yale professor Zareena Grewal who had justified Hamas terrorist attack on Israel

OpIndia Staff
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USA: Students start petition to remove Yale professor Zareena Grewal who had justified Hamas terrorist attack on Israel

Yale University professor Zareena Grewal is facing backlash for tweeting in support of Palestine and calling Israel a “murderous, genocidal settler state”.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Grewal wrote, “My heart is in my throat. Prayers for Palestinians. Israel is a murderous, genocidal settler state and Palestinians have every right to resist through armed struggle, solidarity.”

She published the post on the very day the Hamas launched over 5,000 rockets at Israel and unleashed a brutal terrorist attack on civilians, killing over 1300 people and taking hundreds of hostages.

Screenshot of Zareena Grewal’s controversial post (Source: New York Post)

Zareena Grewal has since been facing calls to be ousted from her position at Yale where she works as an associate professor of American studies, ethnicity, race, migration, and religious studies. Her biography on the Yale University website describes her as a historical anthropologist and a documentary filmmaker.

She describes herself as a “radical Muslim” on her X profile. According to the New York Post, Grewal followed up her post with a series of tweets that “appeared to applaud” the brutality of Hamas. At least 1,300 people were killed including women, babies, and the elderly. Many have also been abducted and taken hostage.

In one such tweet, the Yale professor wrote, “It’s been such an extraordinary day!” In a reply to journalist Rachel Sabhi’s tweet that read “Civilians are civilians are civilians, doesn’t matter where”, Grewal wrote, “Settlers are not civilians. This is not hard”.

Screenshot of Zareena Grewal’s X account profile (Source: X)

She also wrote in another post that “no government on earth is as genocidal as this settler colonial state”, referring to Israel.

Now, a petition has been initiated on Change.org titled “Remove Zareena Grewal from the Yale Faculty for Promoting LIES and VIOLENCE”. The petition has been launched by Yale student Netanel Crispe.

Crispe wrote, “She has unequivocally proven that she has no right being in her current role or in the field of education if she considers war crimes against civilians to be acts of resistance.”

More than 28,000 people have signed the petition calling for Grewal’s immediate removal. Her account is now protected limiting the viewership on the same.

Meanwhile, the University seems to be unwilling to take any action. A spokesperson for the University defended Grewal’s right to free speech saying, “Yale is committed to freedom of expression, and the comments posted on Professor Grewal’s personal accounts represent her own views,” the spokesperson, Karen Peart, told the student newspaper Yale Daily News.

Meanwhile, president of Yale University Peter Salovey has condemned the terrorist attack on Israel.

The development comes as some student groups at Harvard University faced widespread backlash for supporting and justifying the terrorist attack by Hamas on 7th October. After their letter blaming Israel was highlighted and several CEOs made it clear that they wouldn’t be hiring the terror sympathizers, the students started to backtrack, some apologizing and some pleading that they did not sign the letter knowingly.

Operation Ajay: First batch of 212 Indian nationals arrive from Israel, thank Indian govt for bringing them back

ANI
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Operation Ajay: First batch of 212 Indian nationals arrive from Israel, thank Indian govt for bringing them back

A flight carrying the first batch of Indians, who were stranded in Israel amid the ongoing war, landed in New Delhi under ‘Operation Ajay’ on Friday morning.

As many as 212 Indian nationals from Israel have arrived at the Delhi airport. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar was present at the airport to welcome them.

With folded hands, Chandrasekhar greeted the returning Indians. He then interacted with the students. The union minister reassured the passengers, saying India’s commitment to the safety of every Indian is unwavering. Prime Minister Modi is determined to protect them, he added.

“Our government will never leave any Indian behind. Our government, our Prime Minister is determined to protect them and bring them back home safely. We are grateful to EAM Dr S Jaishankar, the team at the External Affairs Ministry, the flight crew of this Air India flight for making this possible, for bringing our children back home safely and soundly and back home to their loved ones,” Chandrasekhar said.

An Indian national who returned from Israel told ANI, “This is the first time that we are facing this situation over there. We are very thankful to the Indian government, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing us back. We are hoping for peace as soon as possible so that we can go back to work as earliest as possible…”

The first batch of Indian passengers boarded the flight from Tel Aviv to India under Operation Ajay on Thursday.

On the occasion, Indian Ambassador to Israel, Sanjeev Singla said that the Indian Embassy in Israel is working to ensure the well-being of Indian nationals in war-torn Israel and informed that under “Operation Ajay” the embassy will help Indians who want to return to India.

“As I said yesterday, the Embassy of India in Tel Aviv has been working continuously to ensure the safety and welfare of all our Indian citizens in Israel. Yesterday, the external affairs minister announced Operation Ajay to help those Indians who wish to return to India. And today, under Operation Ajay, the first flight is going back to India,” he said.

He added, “It’s going to have almost 200 Indian citizens – students, caregivers, and business professionals, and we are trying to ensure that we have a similar flight in the coming days. We will have, one flight tomorrow…I would like to reach out to my fellow Indian citizens here and urge them to remain calm and stay safe by following the local safety advisories and I want to tell them that we’re always there with them. We are standing with them.”

In an exclusive interview with ANI, an Indian citizen returning back to India in the first flight from Tel Aviv thanked the Indian government for assisting in the tough times and asserted that they have got a lot of help through “Operation Ajay”.

Earlier on Thursday, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “As announced by EAM yesterday, Operation Ajay has been launched to facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to come back. The first chartered flight will be reaching Tel Aviv later tonight to pick up the Indian citizens and is likely to return to India tomorrow morning,” the external affairs ministry spokesperson said while addressing a media briefing here today.”We are keeping a close watch on the situation in Israel.”

The MEA spokesperson also said that there were no Indian casualties so far.”We haven’t heard of any casualty so far,” he said.”Around 18,000 Indians are in Israel. There is conflict going on and it is a matter of concern. Indians advised to follow advisories issued by our mission,” Bagchi said.

“Operation Ajay” was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring back around 18,000 Indians in Israel. Registration of Indians began on Thursday.

The Indian embassy in Israel is providing assistance to Indian companies and has set up a helpline for Indian citizens in need of assistance.

The MEA had set up a 24-hour control room in view of the escalating conflict. The control room will help monitor the situation and provide information and assistance.

Earlier, the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired a meeting to review preparations for “Operation Ajay”.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

250 hostages rescued, over 60 Hamas terrorists neutralised by Israel Defense Forces near Gaza security fence

OpIndia Staff
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250 hostages rescued, over 60 Hamas terrorists neutralised by Israel Defense Forces near Gaza security fence

On Friday (13th October), the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared headcam footage of how its personnel rescued about 250 hostages alive and neutralised 60+ Hamas terrorists near the Gaza security fence area.

In a tweet, it informed that the ‘Flotilla 13 Elite Unit’ also regained control of the Sufa military post in Southern Israel from Hamas on 7th October.

“The Flotilla 13 elite unit was deployed to the area surrounding the Gaza security fence in a joint effort to regain control of the Sufa military post on October 7th,” IDF said.

“The soldiers rescued around 250 hostages alive. 60+ Hamas terrorists were neutralized and 26 were apprehended—including Muhammad Abu A’ali the Deputy Commander of the Hamas Southern Naval Division,” it added.

The military operation by IDF was conducted soon after Hamas terrorists launched a deadly attack on Israel and infiltrated into its territory. About 13 soldiers were airlifted to the scene to counter the threat of Hamas.

In the headcam video, it could be seen that the ‘Flotilla 13 Elite Unit’ personnel firde multiple rounds and captured the Islamist terrorists. “Shayetet, Shayetet, stay in the bunker, we’re coming,” one of the officers was heard saying.

Israel under attack by Hamas terrorists

In the meanwhile, the death toll in the Hamas terror attack in Israel has crossed 1300, as per latest reports, while over 3,300 are injured. Most of the victims are civilians, as Hamas terrorists opened fire on civilian areas in Israel near the Gaza border.

Hamas also abducted a large number of victims, holding them as hostages in Gaza. Bodies of over 1500 Hamas terrorists have been located in Israel and along the border, killed in retaliatory fire by Israeli forces.

Hundreds of Hamas terrorists entered Israel through land, sea and even using paragliders, after overwhelming the Iron Dome missile defence system of Israel by firing over 5000 rockets in just 20 minutes.

Israel has launched a massive attack on Gaza Strip following the terror attack, and has struck hundreds of Hamas sites. Israel has also cut power and water supply to Gaza and has prevented entry of supplies to the landlocked coastal strip.

‘Hamas is ISIS, Hamas is inhuman’: Israel govt shares horrifying photos of murdered Jewish babies from Kibbutz Kfar Aza massacre

OpIndia Staff
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‘Hamas is ISIS, Hamas is inhuman’: Israel govt shares horrifying photos of murdered Jewish babies from Kibbutz Kfar Aza massacre

Describing Hamas as “monsters,” Israel has released horrifying pictures of babies killed by the terrorist group Hamas amid the ongoing war. The photos were reportedly shown by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his visit to Tel Aviv, as per ANI.

Notably, Blinken arrived at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv earlier today amid the ongoing war initiated by the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, ANI reported.

The official social media account of the Prime Minister of Israel shared the images and the post also said that Netanyahu showed the photos to Blinken.

Babies massacred by Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on 7th October

The Prime Minister of Israel posted on X, “Here are some of the photos Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.”

“Warning: These are horrifying photos of babies murdered and burned by the Hamas monsters. Hamas is inhuman. Hamas is ISIS,” the post cautioned. The pictures showed mutilated bodies of babies, some of them completely burnt and covered in blood.

The international community condemned the violence after Israel-based i24 News reported in one of the blood-curdling details from the Hamas attack on Israel that at least 40 babies were killed by the terror group.

Notably, the initial reports of 40 babies murdered were questioned by many. Many pro-Hamas handles and even news reports had tried to call it a false claim, saying it never happened.

IDF had shared photos and videos of burned bodies, bloodied cribs and car seats, and desecrated homes. However, they had refrained so far from sharing photos of the corpses of babies.

As Thursday marks the sixth day of Israel Hamas conflict, Israel Defence Force (IDF) spokesperson Lieutenant Col. Jonathan Conricus confirmed earlier today reports that the Hamas had beheaded babies in the Israeli kibbutz of Kfar Aza. The spokesperson said it was hard to believe that Hamas could perform such a barbaric act, ANI reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Hamas should be crushed and that the group should be treated the same way as the Islamic State, or Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Highlighting the brutal acts committed by Hamas, PM Netanyahu said, “Hamas has shown itself to be an enemy of civilisation. The massacring of young people at an outdoor music festival, the butchering of entire families, the murder of parents in front of their children and the murder of children in front of their parents, the burning of people alive, the beheadings, the kidnappings of a young boy.”

He said further, “Not only kidnap, molest the kidnapped and the sickening display of celebrating these horrors, the celebration and glorification of evil – President Biden was absolutely correct in calling this “sheer evil.”

In his daily update video on Israel-Hamas attacks, Lt. Col. Conricus said, “The scenes are out of a zombie movie,” stating that it’s a war zone, he said, “There were babies that have been beheaded…it was hard to believe that even Hamas could perform such barbaric act.”

He further highlighted the atrocities done to the civilians of Israel, including children.

“There were bodies scattered everywhere, mutilated, women and children that were handcuffed and shot, executed, houses torched and burned, and people who were either burnt inside or suffocated,” Conricus said.

The Israeli Air Force has been striking a lot of targets in various neighbourhoods in Gaza, he said.

“We are prioritizing striking commanders, and senior officials in Hamas… whenever we have intelligence that indicates the whereabouts of the senior Hamas officials or military commanders, we strike in that location, IDF spokesperson emphasized.

Additionally, noting the current situation of Gaza, he said that the place where Hamas has the infrastructure, whether it is financial, construction, or commander control, intelligence, research, and development…whatever it is, “if it belongs to Hamas, we are striking it and that’s what going on in Gaza strip today.”

Furthermore, he said, “We are deployed in significant numbers, strength, and capabilities on the southern part of the border and we are very vigilant to any attempt by Hezbollah.”

Israel has launched a counter-offensive against Hamas in response to the latter’s attack on October 7 that left 1,300 Israelis dead and is aiming to eliminate the terror group completely.

The death toll in Israel since the Hamas attack has jumped to 1,300 and some 3300 have been injured, including 28 in critical condition and 350 in serious condition, according to The Times of Israel.

The fate of an estimated 150 people abducted and taken to the Gaza Strip during the attack by Hamas is still unclear, the report said.

How the civilians were killed by Hamas, and why it took the IDF so long to share photos?

It is notable here that the fight in Kibbutz Kfar Aza was going on till Tuesday morning, with IDF soldiers still trying to locate and kill Hamas invaders. The houses in the locality were being searched one by one as the IDF tried to save survivors and neutralize terrorists, while many units still battled Hamas terrorists. This is why the clearance and shifting of the bodies of civilian victims took several days.

Kibbutz Kfar Aza is close to the Gaza border and used to be a peaceful community. Most homes there have reinforced safe rooms to protect them from Hamas terrorists, and concrete shelters to shield them from Hamas rockets. However, on 7th October, many families never got the chance to save themselves as Hamas terrorists physically barged into their homes and started killing. Some people who managed to get inside safe rooms have survived, but many have not.

Several senior citizens have been killed while watering their plants, or sitting in their gardens. Babies have been killed in cribs. In some houses, entire families have been killed with Molotov cocktails, the IDF soldiers revealed to BBC news.

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