Ten Indian construction workers who were held hostage in Palestine’s West Bank have been rescued by Israeli forces, a month after they were reportedly stripped of their passports.
According to local media reports, the workers were lured to the village of al-Zaayem in the West Bank under the pretense of employment. They had originally traveled to Israel to work in the construction industry.
Their rescue took place during an overnight operation led by Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority, in coordination with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Justice Ministry. Israeli forces reportedly intercepted suspects at a checkpoint, leading to the discovery of the Indian workers. It is believed that the Palestinian captors used the workers’ passports to move freely across checkpoints into Israel.
Following the operation, the workers were moved to a safe location where they will remain until their employment status is determined.
The Indian Embassy in Israel has confirmed that an investigation is underway and has urged Israeli authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of the rescued workers.
Over the past year, approximately 16,000 Indian workers have arrived in Israel for construction jobs, following a ban on Palestinian workers after Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Sources By agencies
