In a tragic turn of events, a 31-year-old man from Kerala, Pat Nibin Maxwell, fell victim to a missile strike near an orchard in northern Israel’s Margaliot. Leaving behind a heart-wrenching scene of farewells just two months ago, Maxwell bid goodbye to his pregnant wife and their five-year-old daughter, unaware that it would be their final embrace.
Maxwell’s demise occurred in a missile strike that also wounded two others, Paul Melvin and Bush Joseph George, both hailing from Idukki. The attack has been condemned by the Israel embassy in India as a “cowardly terror attack” perpetrated by the Shia terror organization Hezbollah, targeting innocent agriculture workers in their orchards.
Expressing solidarity and extending support to Maxwell’s family, Naor Gilon, Israel’s ambassador to India, personally reached out to Maxwell’s brother to offer assistance during this trying time. According to Maxwell’s father, Pathrose, his son had recently followed his elder brother’s footsteps to Israel after stints in Muscat and Dubai.
Tragically, Maxwell’s father received the devastating news from his daughter-in-law, who informed him of Maxwell’s injuries and subsequent hospitalization. The news of his son’s demise arrived in the early hours of the morning, leaving the family in shock.
Maxwell’s untimely death has left behind a grieving family, including his young daughter and his wife, who is seven months pregnant with their second child. Plans are underway to repatriate Maxwell’s body to Kerala, a process expected to take approximately four days due to necessary paperwork and formalities.
In light of this unfortunate incident, New Delhi has issued an advisory for Indians residing in Israel, urging them to relocate to safer areas within the country amidst escalating tensions. The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has persisted for nearly five months, has led to widespread devastation, with Tel Aviv’s retaliatory strikes resulting in a significant loss of life in the Gaza Strip.
The conflict has sparked international concern, with New Delhi expressing deep distress over the humanitarian crisis and urging for a peaceful resolution to end the violence plaguing the region. As tensions continue to escalate, the need for diplomatic efforts and humanitarian aid remains paramount to alleviate the suffering endured by civilians caught in the crossfire.
Sources By Agencies
