An Indian woman from Kerala’s Payyavoor in Israel was injured during the surprise attack by Hamas. Sheeja Anand, a medical caregiver, was on a video call with her husband when the rocket attacks hit Ashkelon, a coastal city in southern Israel. Her husband mentioned that they were talking when the phone connection suddenly got disrupted and later found out about the explosion where Sheeja was staying. Her friends informed him that she had minor injuries on her hands and had been taken to the hospital. She will also need to undergo spine surgery.
The violence between Israel and Hamas has resulted in over 700 deaths on the Israeli side and 560 deaths in Gaza. Numerous foreigners, including citizens from Thailand, Nepal, Ukraine, France, Britain, the US, Canada, and Cambodia, have also lost their lives. The husband expressed disappointment that they have not received any assistance from their embassy or government and called on the Indian government to intervene and help them in this time of need.
Sheeja Anand’s brother-in-law mentioned that she had been working as a caregiver in Israel for the past seven years and had returned to Kerala for a visit last year. Her sister confirmed that she had suffered serious injuries and had been transferred to another hospital for spine injury treatment.
As the conflict continues, about 18,000 citizens, including caregivers, IT professionals, and students, are stranded in Israel. The Indian embassy in Jerusalem and the Representative Office of India in Palestine have issued advisories asking Indian nationals to remain vigilant and contact the office in case of emergencies.