603 Indians evacuated in 48 hours as new groups exit war-hit Israel via Jordan, Egypt
by Utsav RoyOn Monday, June 23, 2025, the second wave of evacuation from Israel involved two groups consisting of 175 and 268 individuals crossing the borders into Jordan and Egypt. This raised the total number of Indian nationals safely evacuated from the conflict-ridden region to 603 within just two days.
The initial group of 160 evacuees had departed for Jordan on Sunday, June 22, 2025, and subsequently boarded a flight around 2:15 pm local time, according to one of the passengers before takeoff.
The 443 individuals who crossed into Israel’s neighboring countries on Monday were scheduled to take two separate flights arranged by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, working closely with Indian diplomatic missions in Jordan and Egypt.
This intricate operation, requiring seamless coordination between New Delhi and three diplomatic missions, has provided significant relief to Indian nationals living in Israel, who have been enduring constant sirens and taking shelter in bunkers and fortified safe rooms due to ongoing missile and drone attacks originating from Iran.
Recognizing the gravity of the crisis, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv established a 24-hour Control Room last week to monitor every aspect of the evacuation. The Control Room issued timely advisories based on the changing situation, guided Indian citizens to register through an online portal, handled thousands of calls and emails, and maintained a comprehensive database of Indians residing across Israel.
“Evacuation priorities were determined based on medical emergencies, the presence of young children, women, and students. Embassy officials proactively contacted registrants by phone and email to confirm travel details and allocate them to specific evacuation flights,” embassy sources earlier said.
The situation on the ground was under close watch by the highest levels of the Indian government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who stayed actively involved, receiving real-time information about the safety and security of Indian citizens in Israel, according to sources.
On June 19, the Government of India launched Operation Sindhu to facilitate the evacuation of Indian nationals wishing to return from the conflict-affected region of Israel.
Indian residents in Israel were visibly distressed following direct missile strikes in several areas such as Haifa, Ramat Gan, Beersheba, and the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot.
Fortified safe rooms, set up in private homes and public spaces, have become essential shelters for those living in northern and southern Israel amid ongoing missile threats.
The governments of Israel, Jordan, and Egypt have played a vital role in ensuring the safe and orderly crossing of Indian nationals at the borders.
Indian Embassies in Jordan and Egypt have assisted with the evacuation, welcoming evacuees at border points and coordinating their onward travel to airports.
Operation Sindhu follows in the footsteps of significant previous evacuation efforts like Operation Ganga, Operation Devi Shakti, Operation Kaveri, and Operation Ajay, which successfully repatriated Indians from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Sudan, and Israel, respectively.
Officials stated, “These operations demonstrate India’s increasing global influence, operational capability, and strong commitment to its diaspora.”
They added, “The Government of India prioritizes the safety and security of its citizens abroad and continues to closely monitor the evolving situation. The Embassy maintains constant contact with the community to provide all possible assistance.”
On Sunday, the Indian mission in Israel again urged citizens to register if they had not done so already, to receive timely updates and support.
Currently, more than 40,000 Indian nationals live in Israel, including caregivers, construction workers, over 1,000 students, professionals, and others.