10 Indian Workers, Held Hostage In Palestine West Bank, Rescued By Israel
Ten Indian construction workers were recently rescued from a West Bank village by Israeli authorities after being held hostage for over a month. The workers, who had originally traveled to Israel for employment in the construction sector, were lured to the village of al-Zaayem with promises of work by Palestinians. Once there, their passports were confiscated, and attempts were made to use these documents to cross into Israel illegally.
Rescue Effort: The rescue was conducted by the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority, in coordination with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Justice Ministry.
Employment Status: The workers have been moved to a safe location while their employment status is being determined.
Passport Recovery: The IDF identified the illicit use of the passports and returned them to their rightful owners.
Background: Approximately 16,000 Indian workers have arrived in Israel over the past year to address a labor shortage in the construction industry, following restrictions on Palestinian workers after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.
The Indian Embassy in Israel has confirmed the rescue and is in touch with Israeli authorities to ensure the workers’ safety and well-being.
