Shillong, Oct 7: 27 citizens of Meghalaya, who embarked on a Holy Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, are presently stuck in Bethlehem due to escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine.
According to sources, Member of Parliament (MP) Dr WR Kharluki and his family (wife and daughter) are among the 27 stranded in Israel.
Responding swiftly to the situation, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma informed through his social media post that he is in constant communication with the Union Ministry of External Affairs, leaving no stone unturned in the effort to secure their safe passage back home.
Taking to X, CM Sangma said: “27 citizens of Meghalaya who traveled for the Holy Pilgrimage to Jerusalem are stuck in Bethlehem due to the tension between Israel and Palestine. I am in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure their safe passage back home.”
As per sources, all 27 of Meghalaya’s citizens are safe in Bethlehem which falls under Palestine, they are likely to return tomorrow via Egypt.
Israel has declared a “State of War” following Palestinian militants firing more than 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip toward Israel on Saturday. So far, 238 people have died following the surprise attack by Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, on Israel. Hamas militants have declared “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” against Israeli occupation.
“We decided to put an end to all the crimes of the occupation (Israel), their time for rampaging without being held accountable is over… We announce Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and we fired, in the first strike of 20 minutes, more than 5,000 rockets,” the group said.
In retaliation, Israel has declared a war on Gaza and launched Operation “Iron Swords” to neutralise Hamas militants in Gaza. “Our enemy will pay a price the type of which it has never known… We are in a war and we will win it,” Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed.
As the conflict or war between Israel and Palestine escalates, India has issued an advisory to the Indians in Israel asking them to “remain vigilant” and “observe safety protocols.”
“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. Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary movement, and stay close to safety shelters,” the Embassy said in its advisory.
