Israel Hamas War: An anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon struck an orchard close to Margaliot, a town on Israel‘s northern border, killing one Indian national and injuring two more. News agency PTI reports that the event took place on Monday. The report said that the three Indians were from Kerala.
Location of the Strike
According to Zaki Heller, a spokesman for rescue services Magen David Adom (MDA), the missile struck a plantation in Margaliot, a moshav (communal agricultural community) in the Galilee region of northern Israel, on Monday at around 11:00 a.m.
Pat Nibin Maxwell, a 31-year-old resident of Kollam, Kerala, was identified as the victim. According to reports, Maxwell had only been in Israel for two months when the attack occurred. He was employed on a farm. His spouse, who is expecting a second child, and their five-year-old daughter survive him.
Injured Individuals and Suspected Perpetrator Details
Bush Joseph George and Paul Melvin were recognised as the two injured Indians. “George was taken to the Beilinson hospital in Petah Tikva after suffering injuries on face and body. He underwent an operation, is recovering well, and has been kept under observation. He could speak with his family in India,” an official source said.
Melvin is being treated at Ziv Hospital in Safed, a city in northern Israel, after suffering minor injuries. He is from Kerala’s Idukki district. The strike was thought to have been carried out by the Shi’ite Hezbollah group in Lebanon, which has been supporting Hamas during the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip by launching rockets, missiles, and drones at northern Israel on a daily basis since October 8.
Israeli Embassy’s Response
The Israeli Embassy in India, meantime, expressed condolences for the passing of the Indian person and stated that Israeli medical facilities were available to assist those hurt in the assault.
In an X post, the Embassy said, “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the death of one Indian national and the injury of two others due to a cowardly terror attack launched by Shia Terror organization Hezbollah, on peaceful agriculture workers who were cultivating an orchard at the northern village of Margaliot yesterday early afternoon.”
“Our prayers and thoughts naturally go to the families of the bereaved and those of the injured. Israeli Medical institutions are completely at the service of the injured who are being treated by our very best medical staff. Israel regards equally all nationals, Israeli or foreign, who are injured or killed due to terrorism,” it said.
“We will be there to support the families and offer them assistance. Our countries, who are sadly well versed in civilian loss, stand united in hopes of a speedy recovery for the injured and solace for the family of the bereaved,” the Embassy tweeted.