People perform Ganga Aarti in Varanasi in support of Israel in its fight against Hamas

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], October 13 (ANI): People on Friday performed Ganga Aarti in Varanasi in support of Israel in its ongoing conflict with the terrorist organisation Hamas based in Gaza. A large number of people participated in it.

People also raised slogans for Israel. The participants said that they were with Israel in its fight against Hamas and prayed for its victory.

“We want a world where there are no terrorists. The goals of the terrorists will never be successful. We are with Israel and we would like to see its victory. We did Aarti today for the realisation of this,” said Rajesh Shukla who organised the Aarti.

He said that India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the message of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.

“The message is that the whole world is one family. And it ought to be kept safe and united. The terrorists are against this vision. In the Hamas attack against Israel, many people including children and elderly were killed mercilessly. Through this Aarti we want to tell the terrorists to stop killing innocent people and stop attacking Israel,” he added.

Last night in Varanasi, a group of people took out a candle march in support of Israel in its fight against Hamas.

The latest conflict was started after Hamas on Saturday crossed the border, launched a surprise attack in Southern Israel killing civilians including children and women and taking scores of Israeli citizens as hostages.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Consulate in Mumbai posted on X that they are overwhelmed by the support of ordinary people in India.

“We are overwhelmed by the support of ordinary people in India who are writing us emails, making phone calls, putting banners, organising prayers for Israel. We will win the war against HAMAS-ISIS terror. Please tag us in the photographs and videos of the events that you are organising in Israel’s support. We will be happy to share them and say THANK YOU,” the Israel Consulate said in the post.

Earlier in the day, Israeli defence forces armed with tanks positioned themselves on the country’s southern border with Gaza after the military on Friday called for the evacuation of all civilians from the besieged Gaza City.

The Israeli Defence Forces asked civilians to relocate from their homes and move to the area south of the Wadi Gaza for their own safety. The IDF stated that citizens should return only when advised to do so.

It also asked citizens to not approach the area on the security fence with Israel.

In a statement shared on X, IDF stated, “The IDF calls for the evacuation of all civilians of Gaza City from their homes southwards for their own safety and protection and move to the area south of the Wadi Gaza, as shown on the map. The Hamas terrorist organization waged a war against the State of Israel and Gaza City is an area where military operations take place. This evacuation is for your own safety.”

The Israeli Defence Forces asserted that they will continue to operate with “significant force” in Gaza and make extensive efforts to avoid harming civilians.

Meanwhile, Hamas dismissed Israel’s orders for Palestinians to evacuate the northern half of the Gaza Strip, asking the residents to stay put, the Times of Israel reported.

Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus said that the death toll from the Hamas terror attacks on Israel has jumped to 1,300 and more than 3000 have been injured.

At least 1,537 Palestinians have been killed and 6,612 others injured in the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza, CNN reported citing the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.