'It's getting scarier, tougher': Indians in Israel amid Iran attack
Indian students and workers residing in Israel have shared their ordeal as Iran fired a barrage of missiles, targeting major cities including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Safed this week. Nilabja Roychowdhury, a medical student at Bar-Ilan University in Tel Aviv, described the situation as "getting scarier by the day." Similarly, Rajesh Medicherla from Telangana who works as a caregiver in Tel Aviv told TOI that they have not seen something as threatening as this ever.
Missile attacks heighten fear among Indians in Israel
Medicherla shared a video of a missile falling on a building in Tel Aviv, expressing his disbelief at the extent of the attacks. "Bro... bro... padutundi (brother, it's falling)!" Medicherla said in the video. "It was inconceivable that the missiles would reach as far as Tel Aviv," he added. Several research scholars from West Bengal, currently in Israel, are eager to return home. However, most international flights have been suspended due to the conflict, leaving them stranded.
Evacuation challenges and safety concerns
Roychowdhury shared that a few days ago, a bomb dropped just 100 metres away from a friend's home. "I could have been in his house too," the medical student told TOI, adding that the Israel-Hamas conflict from last year did not affect them that much but this time, "It's different." Northern cities like Safed and Haifa have been heavily impacted, with villages near the border being evacuated. Residents, including Indians, have been forced into bunkers for hours as sirens blare.
Impact on northern cities and Indian residents
Puspur Sarangadhar, another caregiver from Telangana currently in Israel, expressed his concern over the situation that is testing his resolve despite a higher income. Sarangadhar, who had moved to Israel for a lucrative job that pays five times more than back home, said, "I have to take care of the educational expenses of my two children."
Indian embassy's advisory to citizens in Israel
The Indian embassy in Israel has advised its citizens to remain vigilant and follow safety protocols as instructed by local authorities. "Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel...and stay near safety shelters. The Embassy is closely monitoring the situation and is in regular contact with Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all our nationals," the embassy stated. There are around 18,000 Indians in Israel, the majority of whom work as caregivers, diamond traders, information technology workers, and students.
