Kerala man killed, 2 others injured in missile attack in northern Israel

The injured men were identified as Joseph and Paul Melvin.

According to Nibin’s father Antony, the incident took place in the afternoon. “My eldest son Nivin, who is also employed in Israel, informed me that Nibin had been injured in a missile attack. Later, his death was confirmed. Two weeks ago, Nibin had told us about an airstrike near their farm. I told them to move elsewhere, but since there were no other issues, they continued at the same workplace,” said Antony.

Nibin, who held an industrial training certificate, was working with a manpower supply firm in the UAE before he quit in December to move to Israel, when that country opened agricultural visas for Indians.

“The husband of Nibin’s sister-in-law, who works as a caregiver in Israel, helped him find a job there. A week after Nibin left for Israel, his elder brother Nivin followed. Nivin, who was working in a private firm in Bengaluru, also took up work in the agricultural sector. They moved to Israel considering the better prospects,” said Antony, whose youngest son works in the UAE.

Sources in Israel said the injured men are out of danger. Nibin’s body will be moved to Tel Aviv on Wednesday before being sent back to India.

The attack on farm workers in Israel led to panic among Indians employed there. “Most of the Indians in Israel are caregivers, working inside houses. They can run for cover at shelters when a siren is sounded. But those working in the farm sector are exposed to the attacks. Many Indians have joined the farms after people from other countries abandoned that sector in the wake of the war,” said a source.

The Indian Embassy in Israel has issued an advisory for Indian nationals working in the country, especially in border areas, to relocate to safe areas within the country. The Embassy said they are in touch with the Israel authorities to ensure the safety of all its nationals. The Indian Embassy also shared a helpline number and email address for any help.

In a post on X, the Israel Embassy wrote: “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.”

“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. We will be there to support the families and offer them assistance,” it wrote. “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,” it wrote.