Updates on Hostage Situation in Chabad in India
The following report is from Israel Foreign Ministry official Yossi
Levy, who is monitoring events in Mumbai from the situation room. Levy
explains they remain in contact with consular officials in India via
satellite technology. At present, no names of Israelis are among the
wounded in hospitals. There are still an unspecified number of
Israelis listed as missing. Efforts to establish communications with
them have failed but efforts are ongoing. Regarding the Chabad House,
the situation remains unclear despite reports, some of which are
conflicting. As such, the Foreign Ministry is unable to give confirmed
information but states it appears the wife and a child have escaped
and the rabbi is still alive. This report however is not being
confirmed by official sources but it is being stressed that both Rav
Holtzberg and his rebbitzin appear to be alive Baruch Hashem. Binyamin
Avraham, the rav of El Al, is currently in the Bombay Airport. He said
that a few moments ago the airport is open and he hopes that a flight
with many Israeli nationals will be able to depart on schedule. Mumbai
media reports the National Service Guard is operating in the Chabad
House, apparently to neutralize the situation there where a number of
terrorists are believed to still be at large. In addition, the marine
commando chief reports that the Taj Mehal Hotel is no longer being
seized. Commando forces are working to secure the situation at the
Chabad House in Mumbai, it appears there are still 5-6 people inside.
Sharoni, an Israeli who lives near the Chabad House, reports that the
police got a worker and a toddler out of the area safely. Foreign
Ministry spokesman Yossi Levy reports from the situation room, that
currently, there are no reports of Israelis among the wounded. The El
Al plane in Bombay Airport is scheduled to return home this evening. A
flight from Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion International Airport to India has
been canceled. British High Commissioner Sir Richard Stagg reports a
center has been established, checking for British citizens in
hospitals, reporting seven injured. He reports that the head of the
British counter-terrorism office will be coming to Delhi on Monday as
the two countries maintain close relations. Officials are confirming
there are hundreds of residents inside the Oberoi along with a small
number of foreigners, plus the hostages.
Levy, who is monitoring events in Mumbai from the situation room. Levy
explains they remain in contact with consular officials in India via
satellite technology. At present, no names of Israelis are among the
wounded in hospitals. There are still an unspecified number of
Israelis listed as missing. Efforts to establish communications with
them have failed but efforts are ongoing. Regarding the Chabad House,
the situation remains unclear despite reports, some of which are
conflicting. As such, the Foreign Ministry is unable to give confirmed
information but states it appears the wife and a child have escaped
and the rabbi is still alive. This report however is not being
confirmed by official sources but it is being stressed that both Rav
Holtzberg and his rebbitzin appear to be alive Baruch Hashem. Binyamin
Avraham, the rav of El Al, is currently in the Bombay Airport. He said
that a few moments ago the airport is open and he hopes that a flight
with many Israeli nationals will be able to depart on schedule. Mumbai
media reports the National Service Guard is operating in the Chabad
House, apparently to neutralize the situation there where a number of
terrorists are believed to still be at large. In addition, the marine
commando chief reports that the Taj Mehal Hotel is no longer being
seized. Commando forces are working to secure the situation at the
Chabad House in Mumbai, it appears there are still 5-6 people inside.
Sharoni, an Israeli who lives near the Chabad House, reports that the
police got a worker and a toddler out of the area safely. Foreign
Ministry spokesman Yossi Levy reports from the situation room, that
currently, there are no reports of Israelis among the wounded. The El
Al plane in Bombay Airport is scheduled to return home this evening. A
flight from Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion International Airport to India has
been canceled. British High Commissioner Sir Richard Stagg reports a
center has been established, checking for British citizens in
hospitals, reporting seven injured. He reports that the head of the
British counter-terrorism office will be coming to Delhi on Monday as
the two countries maintain close relations. Officials are confirming
there are hundreds of residents inside the Oberoi along with a small
number of foreigners, plus the hostages.
There are six hostages being held in the Chabad House in Mumbai. It is
difficult to understand what is taking place as Mumbai security
officials continue to speak of a commando operation but this does not
seem to be taking place. MDA Emergency Medical Service officials
report they are dispatching a medical team to Mumbai.
