First Indian casualty in Israel-Hamas war

In the first Indian casualty in the Israel-Hamas war, a man from Kerala died in a missile strike in north Israel's Margaliot. The Israel embassy in India said in a statement this morning that two others were injured in the "cowardly" attack by Hezbollah.

The incident happened on Monday.The three Indians hailed from Kerala. The victim was identified as 31-year-old Pat Nibin Maxwell from Kollam in Kerala. Maxwell reportedly arrived in Israel two months back and was working on a farm, at the time of the attack. He is survived by a five-year-old daughter and wife, who is expecting another child. The two injured Indians were identified as Bush Joseph George and Paul Melvin.

The three were cultivating an orchard at the time of the missile strike, the statement said. The Israel embassy has said its prayers go out to the families of the dead and the injured. "Israeli Medical institutions are completely at the service of the injured, who are being treated by our very best medical staff. Israel regards equally all nationals, Israeli or foreign, who are injured or killed due to terrorism. We will be there to support the families and offer them assistance," it said.

The anti-tank missile was fired from Lebanon, a news agency has reported. The Shia faction of Hezbollah has been carrying out rocket strikes and drone attacks in north Israel in support of Hamas since the war began. The Israel-Hamas war has raged on for nearly five months after the October 7 attacks on Israeli cities. Tel Aviv's brutal counterstrike has led to thousands of deaths in the Gaza Strip.

New Delhi has said it is deeply troubled by the conflict and the humanitarian crisis it has led to.