By Gill Bikram Singh 
Israeli authorities have successfully rescued 10 Indian construction workers from the West Bank. These people were held hostage for more than a month. These workers had come to Israel for their livelihood, but they were lured with a job and taken to a village in the West Bank, where their passports were snatched away.
According to reports, the rescue operation was carried out on Thursday night by joint efforts of Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Ministry of Justice. The Indian Embassy has confirmed that these workers are now safe and have been brought back to Israel. “The matter is still under investigation, and we are in touch with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of these workers,” the embassy said.
According to the information, these workers were trapped in Al-Jayem village in the West Bank. There some people tried to use their passports to enter Israel illegally. The Israeli army detected the misuse of passports and returned them to their real owners.
In the last one year, around 16,000 Indian workers have come to work in Israel’s construction sector. This recruitment drive started when Israel banned the entry of thousands of Palestinian workers after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
The rescued workers have been kept in a safe place for now, where their employment status is being investigated. This incident has raised concerns about the safety of international workers and their rights abroad. The Indian Embassy has taken a proactive stance in this matter and has also assured the families of the workers that every possible step will be taken for their safety.