UPDATE 6:27AM EST / 13:27PM IL: According to Israel Foreign Ministry officials, 10-15 Israelis are among the hostages in various locations in Mumbai. This number includes six in the Chabad House.There are an additional 20-25 Israeli who have yet to make contact with family members.

Foreign Ministry situation room officials are continuing to use all means at their disposal to contact the Israeli nationals in Mumbai. Senior Ministry official Amnon Kalmar explains they are having significant difficulty obtaining accurate information from local officials.

He adds that the Israel Embassy’s security officer is stationed near the Chabad House in an effort to provide accurate information.

Members of the Holtzberg family are expected to leave for Mumbai. MDA, ZAKA, and IDF Homefront teams are prepared to leave for Mumbai, awaiting a government decision regarding a plane carrying emergency teams and aid.

UPDATE 7:00AM EST / 14:00PM IL: A final assault is underway at the Taj and Oberoi Hotels in Mumbai. The first three floors of the Oberoi are cleared but there is a fire burning out of control on the fourth floor.

NSG forces are still “observing” the Nariman (Chabad) House, where Israel Foreign Ministry officials report six Israeli hostages are being held.

At 14:00, Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) reported that Rabbi Gavriel Holtzman and his wife Rivka are among the hostages. No explanation is being given for the contradictory reports, which stated earlier that the rebbitzin escaped the scene hours ago.

NSG forces are preparing for a final assault at the Chabad House location. Six foreigners are reported dead according to Mumbai local media.

UPDATE 7:49AM EST / 14:49PM IL: There are now reports that one of the terrorists holed up in the Mumbai Chabad House has phoned a local television station offering to negotiate the release of hostages. He also decried abuses in Indian Kashmir.

The caller identified himself as Imram, and offered to engage in talks towards the release of the hostages.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)