Voices from the ground: A Naga student’s experience in Israel

–The war has had a great impact on the Naga student community staying in the country, he shared

KOHIMA — Amid the escalating Israel-Hamas war, a Naga student enrolled at Tel Aviv University in Israel has shared his perspective from within the affected region.

The war took a grim turn when the Hamas initiated a large-scale attack on the Israeli territory on October 7, prompting an immediate counteroffensive.

In a conversation with Eastern Mirror, the Naga student, who wished to remain anonymous, shared his observations on the evolving situation. He opined that Israel may take time to heal, given the extent of loss inflicted by the brutal attack.

The student expressed utter shock and disbelief at the magnitude of the crisis, citing the scale of civilian casualties. The war has had a great impact on the Naga student community staying in the country, he shared.

The situation grew even more distressing with news of friends and their families being called up for reserve duty.

“Suddenly, many people I know and their friends and families were unaccounted for. The pain is overwhelming. Grief leaves us at a loss for words,” he said.

The student described the impact on the Indian community in Israel as traumatic, as most of them have not encountered such a dire situation before.

“The severity of the conflict is evident, with some even comparing it to a ‘9/11 moment’ for Israel,” he added.

“In a country as small as Israel, where there are just over 8 million residents, the loss of over 1,000 lives feels particularly devastating, analogous to the impact of 9/11 on a much larger scale, equivalent to approximately 27,000 Americans lost,” he opined.

The student noted the substantial Indian population in Israel, encompassing students, professionals, businesspeople, and caregivers, with their safety dependent on their specific locations.

Areas near Gaza and Kfar Gaza Kibbutz are considered more dangerous, while Jerusalem, the city centre, North Herzliya, Ranana, Netanya, Haifa, and South Eilat offer a relatively safer environment, he said.

India has been actively involved in repatriating its citizens from Israel amid the turmoil. There have not been reports of Indian casualties in the war, although there had been such instances among the Indian caregivers in previous conflicts.

The student emphasised the importance of following home command instructions and taking shelter when rocket warning sirens are activated, which is an essential safety measure.

As the conflict has disrupted the normal functioning of universities and classes, causing emotional strain on those experiencing it, he shared that educational institutions are offering psychological and emotional support to students, and various organisations have set up helplines for providing assistance.

The student also felt that the resilience of Israelis is commendable, and they are optimistic that normalcy will eventually return to the region.

As the conflict continues to unfold, international assistance and donations have poured in to support civilians and soldiers affected by the war. Israeli volunteers are actively organising emergency supplies for those in the affected areas and for soldiers on the front lines, reflecting the spirit of solidarity during these challenging times, he shared.

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