NEW DELHI: An Indian national lost his life on Monday when an anti-tank missile struck an orchard near Israel’s northern border in Margaliot. At least two others were injured when the missile, fired from Lebanon, hit the area, officials confirmed.
According to Zaki Heller, spokesperson for rescue services Magen David Adom (MDA), the missile hit a plantation in Margaliot in the Galigee region of northern Israel around 11 am on Monday. “Patnibin Maxwell from Kollam in Kerala was killed in the attack. His remains were identified at Ziv hospital,” official sources stated. Bush Joseph George and Paul Melvin, also from Kerala, sustained injuries and are currently undergoing treatment in different hospitals.
The Israel embassy in India condemned the anti-tank missile firing by Lebanon, terming it a cowardly terror attack. They extended prayers to the families of the deceased and injured. “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 the Shia Terror organization Hezbollah,” the embassy of Israel in New Delhi stated.
“George was taken to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva after suffering injuries to his face and body. He underwent surgery and has been kept under observation. He was able to communicate with his family in India,” an official source informed PTI.
Melvin, a native of Kerala’s Idukki district, is currently receiving treatment at Ziv Hospital in the northern Israeli city of Safed.
In a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, the embassy assured that Israeli medical facilities are fully available to those injured in the incident.
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…
— Israel in India (@IsraelinIndia) March 5, 2024
“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,” the embassy added.
The embassy emphasized that Israel treats equally all nationals, whether Israeli or foreign, who are affected by terrorism, pledging support to the families and offering assistance.
According to MDA, a total of seven foreign workers were injured in the attack, two of them seriously. They were transported to Beilinson, Rambam, and Ziv hospitals via MDA ambulances and Israeli Air Force helicopters.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) responded to the incident by shelling the launch site with artillery.
Additionally, the IDF targeted a Hezbollah compound in the southern Lebanese town of Chihine, where members of the group were gathered, as well as another site belonging to Hezbollah in Ayta ash-Shab.
Hezbollah has been conducting attacks on Israel’s northern communities and military posts since October 8, claiming to do so in support of Gaza.
These clashes between Israel and Hezbollah have resulted in the deaths of seven civilians and 10 IDF soldiers on the Israeli side.
Hezbollah has reported 229 members killed by Israel during recent flare-ups, with most casualties occurring in Lebanon but also some in Syria.
Since October 8, another 37 operatives from other groups, a Lebanese soldier, and at least 30 civilians have also been killed.
