New Delhi:

As the conflict in Gaza intensifies and tensions between Israel and Iran escalate over recent attacks, the safety of Indian construction workers has become a growing concern. Speaking to ANI, Israel’s envoy to India Naor Gilon stressed that these workers “will be as safe as the Israeli population” as Israel considers Indian workers a part of its population.

Addressing concerns about the safety and security of Indian workers, Mr. Giron stressed that Israel is doing its best to protect everyone in Israel and that these workers are no different from other Israeli citizens.

“These workers are no different from other Israelis. As you saw last night, Israel put in a huge effort and we were able to protect our civilians and we will do so in the future. Because we view Indian workers as national Part of the Israeli people, they will be as safe as the Israeli people. We are doing our best to protect everyone in Israel,” Ambassador Giron said on Sunday.

Earlier this month, Israel’s special envoy to India, Giron, said that the first batch of more than 60 Indian construction workers was about to go to Israel, hoping that they would become “ambassadors” of the great people-to-people relations between the two countries.

“Today we held a farewell event for the first batch of 60 Indian construction workers to leave for Israel under the G2G agreement. This is the culmination of the hard work of many, including @NSDCINDIA,” Mr Gillon said.

“I am sure that workers will be ‘ambassadors’ for the great P2P relationship between India and Israel,” he said.

“We are aware of their (Indian workers’) safety and urge the Israeli authorities to ensure their safety and well-being,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a weekly media briefing.

The MEA reacted two days after Israel’s ambassador to India posted a photo on “X” of the first batch of Indian workers who were about to leave for Israel.

The issue of safety of Indian workers has emerged in the wake of an escalation in hostilities between Israel and Iran, over which India has expressed concern.

“We call for immediate de-escalation, restraint, a cessation of violence and a return to the path of diplomacy. We are closely following developments. Our embassies in the region are in close contact with the Indian community. It is vital that the security of the region is Stability has been maintained,” the ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, India issued an advisory on Friday warning its citizens not to travel to Iran and Israel as tensions between the two West Asian countries escalate.

When talking about Iran’s latest attack on Israel, Ambassador Giron said that Iran is a sponsor and trainer of Hamas and has been fighting a proxy war with Israel. Giron further stated that since yesterday, Iran has launched nearly 331 rockets of different types, but the Israeli army has successfully intercepted 99% of them.

On April 1, Iran launched a missile attack on Israel as part of retaliation for a suspected Israeli air strike on its consulate in Damascus.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)