Kerala Man Killed, Two Others Injured In Anti-Tank Missile Attack In Israel: Report

An orchard near Israel's northern border community of Margaliot was struck by an anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon, resulting in the death of an Indian national from Kerala and injuring two others, on Monday, according to officials cited by news agency PTI.

The missile hit a plantation in Margaliot, a moshav (collective agricultural community) in the Galilee region in the north of Israel around 11 am on Monday, as reported by Zaki Heller, a spokesperson for rescue services Magen David Adom (MDA), to the news agency.

Photo Credit: PTI

Who were the Indians involved in the incident?

Patnibin Maxwell from Kollam in Kerala was reported to have been killed in the missile attack, according to official sources quoted by PTI. His mortal remains were identified at Ziv Hospital. Bush-Joseph George and Paul Melvin, identified as Indians, were injured and received treatment in hospitals, as per the sources.

George, who sustained injuries on his face and body, was taken to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, where he underwent an operation and is currently recovering well under observation. Melvin, hailing from the Idukki district of Kerala, was hospitalized at Ziv Hospital in Safed with minor injuries.

Earlier reports from MDA had indicated that one foreign worker was killed and seven others were injured in the attack.

Who fired the missile?

The missile attack is believed to have been executed by the Shia Hezbollah faction in Lebanon, as reported by PTI. Hezbollah has been launching rockets, missiles, and drones towards northern Israel daily since October 8, purportedly in support of Hamas amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

According to MDA, the attack resulted in injuries to seven foreign workers, two of whom sustained serious injuries. They were transported to Beilinson, Rambam, and Ziv hospitals via ambulances and Israeli Air Force helicopters.

Response from Israeli Forces

In response, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced on Monday that they retaliated by shelling the launch site with artillery fire. Additionally, the IDF reported targeting a Hezbollah compound where group members were assembled in the southern Lebanese town of Chihine, as well as another site belonging to Hezbollah in Ayta ash-Shab.

Hezbollah has been carrying out attacks on Israel's northern communities and military outposts since October 8, citing support for Gaza as their motive.