Israeli journalist bids goodbye to wife as he is drafted into army reserve duty to defend country

Amid the escalation and Israel formally declaring war, thousands of men are now being drafted into the Israeli military reserves. Among them is influencer and journalist Hananya Naftali. Naftali took to X, formerly Twitter, to share a photo of himself in military uniform bidding goodbye to his wife, fellow journalist India Naftali.

“I am drafted as well to serve and defend my country Israel. I said goodbye to my wife India, who sent me with blessings and protection of God. From now on she will be managing and posting on my behalf so be nice to her,” he posted.

I am drafted as well to serve and defend my country Israel. 🇮🇱

I said goodbye to my wife India, who sent me with blessings and protection of God. From now on she will be managing and posting on my behalf so be nice to her. 😉🇮🇱😊 @indianaftali pic.twitter.com/K8O56kAQH7

— Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) October 9, 2023

“My husband was drafted to serve and defend Israel. Please pray for us,” India Naftali wrote as she retweeted her husband’s post.

My husband was drafted to serve and defend Israel. Please pray for us. https://t.co/5bFnr3o8m6

— India Naftali (@indianaftali) October 9, 2023

Earlier, the couple had shared a video from inside their local bomb shelter where they had to run a few times to save themselves in the past 24 hours, Naftali said. He said they woke up in the morning by the sound of rocket sirens and explosions. He further said they don’t want to be sitting in a bomb shelter but rather planning what movie to watch next. “My wife and I are in the bomb shelter right now as Hamas is firing rockets into Israel targeting civilians. Israel is at war,” he posted on X.

My wife and I are in the bomb shelter right now as Hamas is firing rockets into Israel targeting civilians. Israel is at war.

Here’s what’s going on. #IsraelUnderAttack @indianaftali pic.twitter.com/Ew0rTfuzGf

— Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) October 7, 2023

Early on Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City reportedly killed two Palestinian journalists. The victims’ names and the news outlets they worked for weren’t immediately known. The airstrike targeted an area housing several media offices, survivors said. On Saturday, three Palestinian journalists were shot and killed while reporting in Gaza.