Shillong, Oct 10: 27 pilgrims from Meghalaya, who found themselves stranded in Israel amidst escalating tensions, have successfully crossed the border into Egypt, announced Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
In a reassuring update shared on X, Chief Minister Sangma expressed, “As per the latest information and through the tireless efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs and our dedicated Indian mission, our 27 fellow citizens from Meghalaya, who were trapped in the war-torn region of Israel and Palestine, have now safely crossed the border into Egypt.”
The group of pilgrims, including Rajya Sabha MP Dr. WR Kharluki and his family, had embarked on a holy pilgrimage to Jerusalem. However, their journey took an unexpected turn when they became caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
With their safety of paramount concern, the Meghalaya government, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, worked diligently to facilitate the secure passage of these citizens.
The Israel-Palestine conflict erupted into violence on a fateful Saturday morning when Hamas declared a military operation against Israel. In a provocative move, Hamas terrorists launched a barrage of missiles from the Gaza Strip towards Israeli territory. The relentless attacks in Israel have resulted in a devastating toll, with over 600 casualties and at least 2,000 injuries reported thus far.
As per the latest information and through the efforts of MEA and our Indian mission, our 27 citizens from Meghalaya, who were stuck in the war conflict zone of Israel and Palestine have safely crossed the border into Egypt@DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia
— Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) October 8, 2023
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In response to the Hamas rocket strikes, Israel swiftly launched a counterattack on Gaza on the same day, resulting in the loss of more than 313 Palestinian lives. Tragically, this military escalation has led to significant damage, including the destruction of residential buildings such as the Watan Tower in Gaza City, the Al-Aklouk Tower, and the Matar residential building.
The plight of the stranded pilgrims from Meghalaya in the midst of this violent conflict underscores the urgency and complexity of the situation in the region. The safe passage of these citizens into Egypt is a relief not only to their families and loved ones but also to the people of Meghalaya and India as a whole. It serves as a testament to the tireless efforts of the Indian government and authorities who worked diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of their fellow citizens during this challenging time.
