‘They raped women, killed children’: Israelis in India scared, condemn Hamas war

NEW DELHI,OCTO 12: The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas terrorists has left over 3,000 dead on both sides of the Gaza border, including civilians. The blood-shed and violence has not only impacted those in Israel, but also their kin back in India.

With the death toll mounting to greater numbers each day, Israelis in India are scared for their loved ones in the war-torn nation.

Angry over the surprise attack on Israel over the weekend by Hamas terrorists, Israelis in India expressed deep resentment against them.

While some have been staying in India for some time, others are tourists who now wish to go back to their home country as soon as they can.

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Keneriyat, an Israeli woman living in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district, recounted the conversation with her family after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel in which her house was also bombed. She said that she has been in touch with her brother, who serves in the Israeli Army.

“My aunt lives in southern Israel. Her house was bombed in the attacks by Hamas. I am talking to my brother but I am scared. My cousin was shot and is badly injured,” she said.

She also said that she feels safer in India, even though she wants to go back to Israel. “I do care about my family back in Israel but it is safer here. I have never felt so scared to go back to my own country,” she told India Today TV.

Sheera, an Israeli tourist in Kullu, said that she wants to offer assistance as the military fights Hamas terrorists back home.

“The recent conflict between Hamas and Israel is exceptionally horrific and cruel, something I hadn’t anticipated. I am grateful for the support from India and urge the rest of the world to understand the situation in Israel. Israel’s primary objective is to protect its people, not harm others,” she said.

She also highlighted the importance of assistance beyond military support, like supplying food and essential goods to those affected by the conflict.

Amat, an Israeli tourist in Rajasthan’s Pushkar, expressed a desire to go back to his country and join the battlefield alongside Israeli defence forces.

“I intend to join the battlefield due to Hamas’s unprovoked attacks on women, children and soldiers,” he told India Today. He is returning to Israel on October 15.

Another tourist, Idan, criticised Hamas terrorists for their “anti-Semitic intentions”, and said he anticipates a decisive confrontation with the group.

The Dharamkot village in McLeodganj is also known as ‘Mini Israel’, given the dense population of Israelis there. However, they are now finding ways to go to Israel to render service to their country in this hour of crisis.

The village now wears a deserted look, with most people refusing to come on camera. Most Israelis there are of the opinion that if they show their faces on camera, they could be putting the lives of their relatives in Israel at risk.

They were denouncing the action of Hamas and hoped that the Israeli government would push them to a dock. They hoped that peace will prevail in days to come.

A sense of fear has gripped Israeli tourists in Goa, who are concerned for their loved ones back home. They expressed a desire to see the situation improve swiftly and return to their homeland.

“My family is safe as it doesn’t live in southern Israel. However, this is one of the hardest situations Israel has ever faced. Please pray for us. This is a big war,” one of the tourists said.

Another tourist condemned the killing of at least 260 people attending a music festival in southern Israel. “It’s very sad. They raped women, they killed children, they murdered so many who were attending music festival. It’s a hard situation,” she said.

The ongoing war between Hamas and Israel has left over 3,000 dead on both sides. While the Israeli forces are continuing attacks on the Gaza Strip, the Hamas terrorists are also bombing places in Israel.

Hamas militants, who were holding Israeli soldiers and civilians as hostages, had issued threats to execute a captive for every home in Gaza that was targeted.

As the war continues to escalate, a ground offensive by Israeli forces appears to be inevitable.-PTI