Indian worker killed in missile strike in northern occupied Palestine
Ramallah (Quds News Network) – The Israeli occupation has confirmed the death of a foreign worker and the injury of seven others in a missile strike from southern Lebanon. The victims were swiftly transported for medical treatment via helicopters to a hospital.
According to reports from the Indian news site India Today, the deceased individual is identified as an Indian worker. Two other workers were injured when an anti-tank missile struck the Israeli settlement of Margaliot near the Lebanese-Palestinian border.
The casualties, including the deceased worker named Pat Nibin Maxwell, hailed from the Indian state of Kerala. Maxwell had arrived in occupied Palestine for work just two months ago, during the height of the Israeli war of genocide on the Gaza Strip.
Despite the war and the associated risks to their lives, there has been a growing influx of Indian laborers seeking employment in the Israeli-occupied territories, particularly in the construction sector. This trend has intensified due to the departure of thousands of Asian workers and the call-up of many Israeli reserve soldiers during the war. Additionally, work permits for over 130,000 Palestinian workers were canceled.
Despite the ban on the entry of more than 100,000 Palestinian construction workers, the Israeli occupation has made significant efforts to attract foreign labor, with a particular focus on Indian workers. According to the Israeli website Globes, around 50 Indian construction workers arrived in the occupied territories in mid-February, marking the initial phase of a plan to bring in at least 65,000 workers.
Rajkummar Yadav, the head of the Lucknow Industrial Training Center, revealed that Israeli recruitment offices are currently seeking a minimum of 10,000 construction workers, offering monthly salaries of up to 140,000 Indian rupees (approximately $1,688). He noted that this program enjoys the support of the Indian authorities.
In a comprehensive investigation published by the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz, it was reported that millions of Indians aspire to obtain work visas in the occupied territories due to the close alliance between their Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Top of Form
