Context-

• The Government of India launched 'Operation Ajay' on 11 October 2023 for Indian citizens wishing to return to India from conflict-torn Israel.
• This is the second operation conducted after Operation Kaveri in the year 2023.

 Key points

• A total of 447 Indians have been brought back to India so far in this two-day operation.
• It is noteworthy that at present there are about 18 thousand Indian citizens in Israel, which also includes students.

Hamas -

• Hamas is the most prominent Islamic extremist organisation in the Palestinian territory.
• It was formed during the people's movement of 1987.
•   It is waging a struggle to remove Israeli forces from Palestinian areas.
• Hamas is particularly popular in the Gaza Strip.
• The influential spiritual leader of this organisation is Sheikh Ahmed Yasin.

 Some important operations conducted by India -

• Operation Sukoon 2006- Lebanon
• Operation Safe Homecoming 2011- Libya
• Operation Relief 2015- Yemen
• Operation Maitri 2015- Nepal
• Vande Bharat 2020-COVID-19 Pandemic
• Operation Ganga 2022 - Tension between Russia and Ukraine
• Operation Dost 2023- Earthquake in Türkiye-Syria.

 Exam Useful Important Facts:

Israel

• Capital: Jerusalem
• Official language: Hebrew
• Continent: Asia
• Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu

 Palestine

• Capitals: Jerusalem, Ramallah
• President: Mahmoud Abbas
• Prime Minister: Mohammad Shtayyeh