TVM man shot dead at Israel-Jordan border; relative injured
Until February 9, he remained in contact with his wife.
Until February 9, he remained in contact with his wife.
Until February 9, he remained in contact with his wife.
Thiruvananthapuram: A 44-year-old man from Thumba in Thiruvananthapuram, Thomas Gabriel, who went to Israel reportedly on a tourist visa, was shot dead at the Israel - Jordan border, the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) has informed his family. He died while trying to cross the border from Jordan to Israel, his relatives have been told.
Thomas also known as Ani, along with his distant relative Edison, left for Israel on February 5. Until February 9, he remained in contact with his wife, Christina, assuring her that they were safe. However, after receiving no further communication from him, Christina approached the NORKA to inquire about his whereabouts. On February 28, she received a response via email. Unfamiliar with using emails, she waited a day before her sister’s son accessed the message, which confirmed Thomas's death.
"As per the mail, Thomas died on February 10. Residents here told me he had gone to Israel on a tourist visa. However, the incident happened while he was trying to cross the Israel border from Jordan," said Rexilin Mary, a representative of Kadinamkulam panchayat.
Thomas, an auto driver, had previously worked as a security guard in Kuwait for three years. "Ani returned from Kuwait around five to six years ago. We were unaware of his travel plans. From what we know, the couple was facing financial difficulties. Ani worked as a headload worker and bought an auto-rickshaw. Recently, he and Edison travelled to Israel as part of a tour programme," said Xavier Perera, Thomas' neighbour.
Perera also mentioned that a person with a Jordan visa had arranged the group's travel to Israel. Edison, who sustained a gunshot wound to his leg, is a distant relative of Christina. He lost consciousness after being shot and was later apprehended and hospitalised in Israel. Authorities deported him after a week, and he was sent back to India. Edison first arrived in Kochi on Friday and reached Thiruvananthapuram later.
A total of four individuals were part of this travel programme, and two are reportedly imprisoned in Israel. "Thomas' body is still in Israel. The family requires a substantial amount for the repatriation process. The government must intervene to ensure his remains are brought back without delay," Perera said.