Amid the ongoing war between Israeli security forces and Palestinian group Hamas , authorities in New Delhi have issued a security alert statement in anticipation of potential protests within Delhi NCR , as reported by the Police.
The personnel of Delhi Police were present on the streets , particularly during Friday prayers today to ensure public safety. Heightened security measures have also been implemented at Jewish religious establishments and the Israel embassy.
Several nations including the United States , the United Kingdom , France and Germany have increased security measures around possible Jewish targets and pro Palestinian demonstrators due to the escalating violence in Israel.
In response to the violent attack on Israel by Hamas, France on Thursday sought to ban all the pro Palestinian demonstrations , citing concerns related to maintaining public order. People are criticising the ban , arguing that it undermines the principles of freedom of speech and assembly.
The Gaza conflict has tragically claimed over 1,500 lives as Israel retaliated forcefully to a surprise land- sea- air attack by Hamas left 1,300 Israelis dead.In response to the Hamas attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a “state of war” and pledged to significantly impact Gaza.
Indian citizens who found themselves stranded in Israel due to the ongoing war were successfully evacuated on the inaugural flight of Operation Ajay which landed down in New Delhi today with 212 passengers.
What Is Israel- Palestine Conflict?
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a long-lasting conflict in the Middle East. It started in the mid-20th century and is one of the world’s oldest conflicts. Efforts have been made to solve it but it remains unsolved. The conflict began due to claims by Jews for a homeland in Palestine, leading to tensions with the Arab population.
After World War I, there was an obligation to create a Jewish homeland in Palestine. This led to conflict between Jews and Arabs. The 1947 United Nations plan to divide Palestine was never carried out and resulted in the 1947-1949 war. The current situation involves Israeli control of the West Bank and Gaza since the 1967 Six-Day War.
According to Wikipedia, a major challenge in solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the deep and growing distrust between the two parties involved. Unilateral actions and strong political speeches, along with violence and provocations by civilians have fueled bitterness and hostility. This has led to distrust in the peace process.
Many Palestinians support Hamas which openly calls for Israel’s destruction and poses a security threat. Israelis are concerned about their safety. The expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank has led most Palestinians to believe that Israel is more interested in permanent control than a peace agreement.
What is Operation Ajay?
On Wednesday, India initiated “Operation Ajay ” to evacuate its citizens from Israel as tensions rose due to Israel’s response to Hamas attacks that began on Saturday. Israel has declared a war against Hamas, forming a war cabinet while Hamas has indicated its willingness for a prolonged conflict.
As a strategic partner of Israel, India condemned the Hamas attack and Prime Minister Modi expressed solidarity with Israel. The Indian External Affairs Minister promptly advised Indians in Israel to be cautious and provided a helpline number. On the fifth day of the conflict, India officially launched Operation Ajay.
“Operation Ajay” is not primarily an evacuation operation but a mission to repatriate Indian citizens from Israel.To bring back the Indian citizens, special chartered flights will be used and Indian Navy ships will be deployed if necessary.
