OPERATION AJAY (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Recently, the Union Ministry of External Affairs initiated 'Operation Ajay' to evacuate Indian citizens from the conflict zone amid ongoing clashes between IDF and Hamas in Israel.

• The nation came under unprecedented attack by the Hamas militant group that rules the Gaza Strip.

Operation Ajay

• India announced the launch "Operation Ajay" to help Indians stuck in Israel to return home as fresh tension triggered in the region as Hamas militants made a series of brazen attacks on Israeli towns over the weekend.
• As per the external affairs ministry, around 18,000 Indians are currently residing in Israel.

Hamas

• Hamas, founded in 1987, is a Palestinian Islamist political organization and militant group.
• Its primary goal is to establish an Islamic state in Palestine.
• Several countries, including the United States, Canada, and the European Union, have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization.
• Hamas has been responsible for various attacks on Israeli civilians and military targets, such as suicide bombings, rocket attacks, and kidnappings.