India will support Israel against the terror attack by Hamas, top government sources told CNN-News18.
“This was a terror attack and very well clarified in Indian PM’s statement. India will be all out for Israel in support,” sources said.
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Israel witnessed a surprise and unprecedented multifront attack – by air, land and sea – by the Hamas militant group, which rules the Gaza Strip, in its southern parts on Saturday morning. At least 350 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed and more than 1,900 injured in Israel — the deadliest day for the country in at least 50 years. In the Gaza Strip, there are nearly 300 deaths and about 1,500 wounded in Israel’s counterattack, media reports said on Sunday.
According to sources, there will be no strength reduction in Indian missions/ consulates. “We are watching the developments and will speak to counterparts on this ongoing situation. Peace is the only way forward,” sources said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed solidarity with Israel and condemned the “terrorist attacks” by Hamas on the country. He also prayed for all those Israelis who lost their lives in a surprise attack by Hamas militants from Gaza.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi said, “Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour.”
INDIANS IN ISRAEL SAFE
There are about 18,000 Indian nationals living and working in Israel and so far there have been no untoward incidents reported involving them, informed sources told PTI.
There have been no untoward incidents involving Indians living and working in Israel so far amid escalating tensions in the region, even as the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv received requests from its citizens, including tourists, stranded in the country to facilitate their safe exit.
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The Indian embassy has received requests from Indian tourists stranded in the country to facilitate their exit. Most of the tourists are travelling in groups. There are also some businessmen visiting Israel who have gotten caught up in the escalation and are looking to be evacuated.
The Indian mission in Tel Aviv and the Representative Office of India in Palestine on Saturday issued advisories asking Indian nationals on respective sides to “remain vigilant” and “directly contact the Office” in case of an emergency.
A big chunk of Indians living in Israel work as caregivers, but there are also about a thousand students, several IT professionals and diamond traders.
ON SUNDAY
Israeli soldiers battled Hamas fighters in the streets of Israel’s south on Sunday and exchanged strikes with Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group in the north, while Israel’s retaliation strikes levelled buildings in Gaza. The prospect of Hezbollah joining the fighting a day after an unprecedented surprise attack from Gaza raised the chances of a broader conflict.
Hamas fighters, backed by a volley of thousands of rockets, broke through barricades around Gaza early Saturday to rampage through nearby communities in Israel.
They took captives back into the coastal enclave, including women, children and the elderly, while Israel’s retaliation strikes levelled buildings in Gaza and its prime minister said the country was at war. Israeli media, citing rescue service officials, said at least 300 people were killed, including 26 soldiers.
At least 250 people were killed in Gaza and civilians paid a staggering cost for the violence on both sides. Israeli TV news aired a stream of accounts from the relatives of captive or missing Israelis, who wailed and begged for assistance amid a fog of uncertainty surrounding the fate of their loved ones.
In Gaza, residents fled homes near the border to escape Israeli strikes, fleeing deeper inside the territory after warnings in Arabic from the Israeli military.
Israeli Rear Adm Daniel Hagari told reporters that “hundreds of terrorists” have been killed and dozens captured.
With PTI Inputs
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