Israeli forces rescue 10 Indian workers held captive in West Bank

New Delhi: Israeli security forces have rescued 10 Indian workers who were held captive in a West Bank village for the past month, local media reported.

According to the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority, the workers were lured under the pretext of employment but were later taken hostage. Their passports were confiscated and allegedly misused to enter Israel.

The Times of Israel cited authorities stating that the workers had originally come to Israel to work in the construction industry. The rescue operation, conducted at midnight, was led by the Population and Immigration Authority in coordination with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and the Ministry of Justice.

Following the operation, the Indian nationals were moved to safer locations, and their passports were returned by the IDF.

Over the past year, around 16,000 Indian workers have arrived in Israel after the country barred thousands of Palestinian construction workers from entering following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks.