In a meticulously coordinated and high-stakes overnight operation, Israeli security forces successfully rescued ten Indian foreign workers who had been held captive for over a month in a Palestinian village in Judea, just three kilometers from Jerusalem. The daring extraction, led by the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority, involved elite units of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Justice Ministry, and other top agencies, ensuring the safe return of the abducted laborers.

A Sinister Trap: Foreign Workers Lured and Stripped of Freedom

The rescued individuals had legally entered Israel with the expectation of finding employment in the booming construction industry. However, their aspirations turned into a nightmare when a Palestinian recruiter deceived them with false promises of work. Lured to the village of al-Zaayem, the workers soon found themselves trapped, their passports confiscated by Arab residents who then allegedly attempted to use the stolen documents to cross Israeli security checkpoints illegally.

The workers, deprived of their identification and unaware of any legal avenues to escape, remained confined in the village, their status uncertain and their freedom stolen. Reports indicate they were effectively stranded, unable to return to their home country or legally seek employment elsewhere.

Palestinians held 10 Indians as slaves!

Israel rescues 10 Indian laborers being held in Palestinian West Bank village pic.twitter.com/6hJTKlkJT3

— 🧡 Andrei Schwartz🎗️🇮🇱 (@andreischwartz) March 6, 2025

The Operation: Under the Cover of Darkness

Israeli authorities, upon receiving intelligence about the workers’ predicament, launched an urgent operation to rescue them. The mission was executed with military precision, requiring advanced coordination between multiple agencies. IDF forces, working alongside the Population and Immigration Authority’s Enforcement and Foreigners Administration and the Israeli Justice Ministry, devised a strategic extraction plan to ensure the safe retrieval of the captives.

Under the veil of night, Israeli units moved swiftly into position. Stealth and speed were paramount, as any misstep could endanger the lives of the hostages. At precisely 2:30 a.m., the operation concluded successfully—the ten workers were safely evacuated from the village and transported to a secure location for further processing and protection.

Recovering Stolen Documents and Exposing Criminal Exploitation

As part of the operation, Israeli authorities also managed to track down and recover the stolen passports, which were allegedly being misused by Palestinian residents to bypass security checkpoints. The discovery of this illicit activity underscores a broader issue of foreign worker exploitation within certain Palestinian-controlled areas and highlights a significant danger to the safety of Israeli citizens and tourists to Israel if terrorists were involved.

While officials have not disclosed whether any of the individuals involved in the passport misuse had ties to terrorism, the incident raises serious security concerns regarding the infiltration of individuals into Israel under false pretenses. The operation’s success highlights Israel’s vigilance and commitment to maintaining national security while ensuring the safety and dignity of those seeking legitimate employment.

Ensuring Justice and Legal Protection for the Rescued Workers

Following the successful rescue, the ten workers have been placed in a safe facility while Israeli officials work to regularize their employment status. In a statement, Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority emphasized its commitment to safeguarding the rights of foreign workers.

Interior Minister Moshe Arbel assured the public that his office would take all necessary measures to integrate the workers into the Israeli labor market legally and protect them from further exploitation. "These individuals came to Israel in good faith, seeking to build a better future for themselves and their families. We will ensure their rights are upheld and that they can work under lawful and dignified conditions," Arbel stated.

שר הפנים ארבל ביקר בדירת מקלט עשרה עובדים זרים מהודו - שחולצו הלילה לאחר שהובאו לכפר א זעיים ברשות הפלסטינית.
השר אמר שמשרדו יעשה הכול לשמור על זכויותיהם ושילובם בשוק העבודה בישראל, ושיבח את מינהל אכיפה וזרים ברשות האוכלוסין וההגירה וצה"ל שהובילו את החילוץ@Itsik_zuarets pic.twitter.com/PmWwOWo1RV

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) March 6, 2025

A Wake-Up Call: Addressing the Threat of Human Exploitation

This dramatic rescue underscores the ongoing challenge of human exploitation and illegal recruitment schemes within the region. Foreign workers, often unfamiliar with local laws and vulnerable to deceit, are frequently targeted by opportunistic actors who seek to exploit their desperate need for employment.

The successful extraction of these ten individuals is not just a victory for Israeli security forces—it is a resounding message that such exploitation will not be tolerated. The operation demonstrates Israel’s unwavering commitment to both humanitarian values and national security, ensuring that those who seek honest work within its borders are protected from harm and injustice.

Israel carried out an operation last night to rescue dozens of Indian workers who had arrived in Israel to work in the construction industry and were being held in the Palestinian village of Az-Zaim.
Palestinians promised them job but took their passports and enslaved them.

— FreeTheWorldFromBarbarians (@FreeTheWorldFB) March 6, 2025

Ongoing Investigations and Future Measures

Israeli authorities are now conducting a thorough investigation into the network responsible for the abduction and exploitation of the foreign workers. Legal action may be pursued against those involved in the unlawful withholding of passports and any illicit attempts to infiltrate Israeli territory.

As Israel continues to bolster its security measures, the government remains steadfast in its efforts to crack down on illegal employment scams, protect migrant workers, and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

This unprecedented rescue operation is yet another example of Israel’s unyielding dedication to justice, security, and the protection of human dignity.