Indian Diaspora in Israel Stays Resilient Amid Escalating Israel-Palestine Conflict
Amidst the escalating Israel-Palestine conflict, the Indian diaspora in Israel remains determined and confident in the country’s military. They express their desire to live peacefully, despite the ongoing tensions between the two sides. The Indian community in Ashkelon, Israel, has experienced the impact of the conflict firsthand.
Ilana Nagaukar, a woman of Indian origin residing in Ashkelon, shares her experience of a missile striking the area. Buildings caught fire, there was a power outage, and they felt a sense of danger. However, she emphasizes their belief in the Israeli Army and expresses their commitment to staying in their home and living peacefully.
Rikki, another woman of Indian origin, expresses gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support to Israel’s residents. She acknowledges his efforts in strengthening the relationship between India, Israel, and their respective communities. Rikki highlights the importance of the support they receive from PM Modi during these challenging times.
The recent conflict between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas has intensified with rocket attacks targeting Israel’s southern coastal city of Ashkelon. Hamas had warned of the impending attack as retaliation for Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip.
The spokesperson for Hamas’s military wing, Abu Obeida, threatened Ashkelon with a major rocket barrage and urged residents to leave their homes to avoid becoming victims of the attacks. These rocket assaults from both the Gaza Strip and Lebanon pose a constant threat to Israel’s safety and security, triggering sirens in various regions.
Both sides have suffered casualties during the conflict. The Health Ministry in Gaza reported that over 770 Palestinians, including 140 children and 120 women, have been killed, with thousands more wounded. In the West Bank region, 18 people have lost their lives and around 100 have been injured. In response, Hamas claimed the lives of at least 900 Israelis and injured over 2,600 in a surprise attack on October 7.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) provided a war update, stating that around 30 hostages are being held by Hamas in Gaza. The IDF reported over 4,500 rockets fired from Gaza into Israel, prompting the Israeli defense forces to target 1,290 Hamas sites in Gaza.
With regards to the conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly declared that while Israel did not initiate the war, they are determined to bring it to an end.
As the Israel-Palestine conflict continues, the Indian diaspora in Israel remains resilient, expressing confidence in the Israeli Army’s capabilities and their desire for a peaceful coexistence. The ongoing violence and loss of life remind us of the urgent need for a resolution to this longstanding and complex conflict.
