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The private Indian carrier said on October 14 that the suspension of Air India flights from Israel’s economic hub Tel Aviv will continue till at least October 18.
The decision to extend the suspension of flight services comes amid the escalating war between Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel, after Israel launched a tough campaign to “eliminate Hamas” in the besieged Gaza Strip.
The former national carrier, Air India, operated five flights per week to Tel Aviv. This included one round trip flight each on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
An airline official said it will continue to operate special chartered flights to bring back Indians stranded in the region, news agency PTI reported.
Track live updates of the Israel-Hamas conflict
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India, earlier this week, launched Operation Ajay to bring back Indian citizens who want to return from Israel amid the ongoing conflict. Air India has operated two flights under the mission so far.
Air India first suspended its services to Tel Aviv on October 7, hours after Hamas fighters attacked several locations in southern Israel. The carrier later announced that flights would remain suspended until October 14.
Notably, the number of casualties in the Israel-Hamas conflict has exceeded 3,700. While approximately 1,200 Israelis, including soldiers and civilians, have reportedly been killed, Palestinian officials have estimated the death toll on their own to be more than 1,500. He said that most of those killed included Gaza citizens.
In response to the Hamas terrorist attack – described as the deadliest in the last few decades – Israel has begun carpet bombing of the Gaza Strip. The country has also cut off water, electricity and food supplies to the area, where an estimated 2.3 million people lived before the war began.
In a statement posted on Twitter after the violence broke out, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India stood in solidarity with Israel. “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 time,” he tweeted.
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Updated: October 14, 2023, 04:00 PM IST
