India issues advisory for its nationals in Israel amid Gaza's Hamas attack

In the midst of the Hamas terrorists' attack on Israel, India issued a safety advisory for its citizens residing in the conflict-affected region, asking them to remain vigilant and observe safety protocols. 

In the advisory, the embassy wrote, “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.” 

Further, it urged the Indian nationals in Israel to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary movement and stay close to safety shelters. “For additional information, please see the Israeli Home Front Command website (https://www.oref.org.il/en) or their preparedness brochure. In case of emergency, please contact us at +97235226748, or leave a message at consl.telaviv@mea.gov.in.” 

Israel at war 

The Islamist movement Hamas, a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist, unleashed the biggest attack on Israel in years on Saturday, September 7. In a surprise attack, the Palestinian armed gunmen crossed the border fence and infiltrated Israeli borders. Multiple barrages of rockets were fired in central and southern Israel, reported AP. 

^{Destruction caused in Israel after Hamas attack | Image: AP}

Following the attack, Israel declared a state of alert for war as dozens of rockets launched from the Gaza Strip rocked the country. In response, Israel sent warplanes to strike the Hamas targets within their territorial boundary. On X, formerly Twitter, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country is at war with Palestine.  

אנחנו במלחמה. pic.twitter.com/XNM3l7fEQH

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 7, 2023

The attack commenced abruptly at around 6:30 am on the Jewish Sabbath, coinciding with the morning of a significant festival, marking the culmination of the Jewish high holidays. This event occurred nearly half a century to the day since the unexpected assault by Egyptian and Syrian forces on Israel's northern and southern borders at the outset of the 1973 war, a moment that left a lasting impact on the nation.