India Issues Safety Advisory for Citizens in Israel after Missile Strike Kills Kerala Man

The Indian embassy in Israel on Tuesday told Indian nationals living in the country and those working in or visiting border areas in northern and southern Israel to relocate to safe areas within Israel.

“In view of the prevailing security situation and local safety advisories, all Indians nationals in Israel, especially those working in or visiting border areas in the north and south, are advised to relocate to safe areas within Israel,” the advisory said.

“The Embassy remains in touch with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all our nationals,” the advisory further said, while sharing an emergency contact and the Tel Aviv consulate’s email address as well as the contact of the Population and Immigration Authority of Israel.

The advisory comes after an Indian national was killed and another two were injured when an anti-tank missile from Lebanon, with whom Israel shares a border on its northern side, struck an orchard near Israel’s northern border community of Margaliot.

All three Indian citizens hailed from the state of Kerala.

The deceased, identified as Patnibin Maxwell, belonged to Kerala’s Kollam.

The injured were identified as Bush Joseph George and Paul Melvin. “George was taken to the Beilinson hospital in Petah Tikva after suffering injuries on face and body,” an official source was quoted as saying.

George underwent an operation and is currently under observation, the official said, adding that he is recovering well and could speak with his family. Melvin was slightly injured and hospitalized at Ziv Hospital in northern Israel’s Safed city.

The Israeli embassy also released a post expressing grief over the death of the Indian citizen.

“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,” the Israeli embassy said.