Israeli authorities have successfully located and rescued ten Indian construction workers who had been missing in the West Bank for over a month after their passports were confiscated. The Indian Embassy in Israel has confirmed their recovery, stating, “While the matter is still under investigation, the Embassy is in touch with the Israeli authorities and has requested to ensure their safety and well-being.”
As reported by the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority, the workers were deceived by Palestinians into traveling to the West Bank village of al-Zaayem under the pretense of job opportunities. Their passports were taken from them and allegedly misused in an attempt to illegally enter Israel.
The rescue operation was conducted overnight by the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), and the Justice Ministry, according to local media sources. The workers have since been relocated to a secure area while authorities assess their employment situation.
The IDF identified the improper use of the Indian passports and returned them to their rightful owners. It is reported that the documents had been utilized by Palestinians to circumvent Israeli checkpoints. Subsequently, Israeli forces apprehended several suspects at a checkpoint, which facilitated the recovery of the workers.
Israel has experienced a significant increase in the number of Indian workers in its construction industry, with approximately 16,000 arriving in the past year. This surge in recruitment followed Israel’s decision to prohibit tens of thousands of Palestinian construction workers from entering the country after the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
