Brave Daughters Of India: Did You Know Two Gujarati Women Serve Israeli Army?

As the war between Israel and the Hamas militants entered its sixth day, interesting news of two women of Indian origin serving the Israeli Army has come to light.

Yes, the daughters (Riya and Nisha) of Jivabhai Muliyasia and Savdasbhai Muliyasia took up arms for Israel, according to a report in DeshGujarat. They hail from Kothadi village in Manavadar taluka of Junagadh.

Going by the report, Jivabhai Muliyasia and Savdasbhai Muliyasia shifted from Gujarat years ago and have become citizens of Israel.

In Israel, the majority of citizens are required to undergo mandatory military service, spanning two and a half years for men and two years for women, commencing at age 18. Like everyone, the daughters of Jivabhai Muliyasia and Savdasbhai Muliyasia also served in the Israeli Army.

Talking about his daughter, Jivabhai Muliyasia had earlier said, "My daughter had been stationed at the borders of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt for the past two years. She was stationed in Gush Den, the battleground from which Israeli forces were attacking Hamas in Gaza in 2021."

However, the two women of Gujarati origin are not taking part in the ongoing war in Israel, which is home to a significant number of Gujaratis.

Bharatbhai Muliyasia, a resident of Kothadi village with a population of 1200 people, stated that his two uncles, Jeevabhai and Savdasbhai Muliyasia, shifted to Israel in 1989 and 1996, respectively. They were subsequently granted Israeli citizenship, and both had daughters who served in the Israel Defense Forces.

According to Ramdebhai Muliyasia, who is married to the village sarpanch Bharmiben, a considerable number of young individuals from Kothadi village have been employed in Israel in the last 30-35 years. He stressed that they enjoy safety and security while residing in Israel.

The report claims that Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and his wife Anjaliben had paid a visit to Jivabhai's residence in Tel Aviv during his previous visit.

Hamas launched the operation Al-Aqsa Storm' by firing thousands of rockets into Israel on Saturday. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters infiltrated Israel by land, sea and air.

The combined casualties from both sides have crossed 3,300, so far.

Israeli authorities reported that approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians, lost their lives in the assault-marking the gravest incident in the nation's history. On the other hand, in Gaza, officials claimed that over 1,100 people died due to Israel's air and artillery strikes.

According to the UN, over 338,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the Gaza Strip.