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Preliminary Pointers

Operation Ajay

News: India launches ‘Operation Ajay’ to evacuate Indian nationals from the Israel-Hamas conflict zone.

About Operation Ajay

• Operation Ajay is an evacuation operation of Indian nationals from Israel.
• 24 Hour helpline and assistance has been launched.
• Indian Nationals will be brought through flights.

About Israel – Hamas Conflict

Hamas

• Hamas is a Islamist Palestinian Militant Group.
• Operates from Gaza Strip.

 Reason of Current Situation

• On October 7, 2023, Hamas led significant offensive Strikes from the Gaza Strip into Israel.
• In response, Israel carried out airstrikes in Gaza to counter this sudden Hamas attack.
• Israel has declared War on Hamas.

Other Evacuation Operation Carried out by India

Jageshwar Temple

News: PM Modi arrives in Uttarakhand , visits Jageshwar Temple in Almora, and offers prayers at Parvati Kund.

About Jageshwar Temple

• Jageshwar Dham complex is a group of nearly 125 temples near Almora, Uttrakhand
• Associated Religion: Hinduism
• Time Period: Between 7th- 12th Century
• Architecture style: Mostly Nagara style (some temples have show south and central indian style)
• Central Deity: Lord Shiva
• Other Temples worship other deities like Lord Vishnu, Parvati , Sun God Surya etc.
• Jageshwar Temple site is protected under The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

About Parvati Kund

• Located in Pithoragarh, Kumaon Region
• This site is believed to be the site where Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati meditated.

Places in News

Gaza Strip

News: Israel Launches Strikes in Gaza strip.

About Gaza Strip

Dispute

• The Gaza Strip is a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority claiming historical and political rights to the territory.

History

• Following World War 1 , Gaza went under British control.
• After 1947 UN Partition Plan: Controlled by Egypt till 1967
• Six Days War,1967: Israel controlled till 2007 till Hamas took over.

Geography

• Shares Land Borders Israel from east And Egypt from southwest.
• Mediterranean Sea on the East.

Controlled by

• Hamas ( an Islamist Militant Group) since 2007.
• Claimed by Palestine.
• Population – Palestinians ( nearly 70% Sunnis).

West Bank

About West Bank

History

• Under Ottoman rule until the early 20th century, the West Bank transitioned to British Mandate after World War I.
• The 1947 UN partition plan aimed to divide it, but the 1967 Six-Day War saw Israel capture and occupy the territory from Jordan.

Cultural Significance

• It holds religious and cultural significance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, including Jerusalem.

Geography

• Landlocked territory.
• Land Border: Jordan from east and Israel from North, South And West.
• Also touches the Dead Sea .

Dispute 

• Both Israel and Palestine claims West bank as their territory,
• And Jerusalem as their Capital.
• West banks form the major part of Jews claimed territory.

Oslo Accords 1990– Both Israel and Palestine agree to resolve the dispute through Negotiations but yet the settlement has not been reached.

India’s Stand: India favors a 2 state solution for this conflict .

Golan Heights

About Golan Heights

History

• Before 1967 it was a part of Syria.
• Captured by Israel from Syria during the Six-Day War in 1967.

 Geography

• Land borders Israel from West, Syria from East and Jordan from south.
• Also borders the Sea of Galilee and Jordan river.

 Dispute

• The Golan Heights is a disputed region between Israel and Syria.
• 2/3rd of it was annexed by Israel in 1967 , which was not recognized internationally.

• Israel’s Stand: Israel argues that Israel needs Golan heights as a buffer or strategic plateau against threat from Syria and Iran’s support to Syria.

• India’s Stand: India traditionally supports the just Arab causes notably the Palestinian cause and for the return of the occupied Golan Heights to Syria.