Jerusalem - An Indian national from Kerala was killed, and two others, also from Kerala, were injured on Monday when an anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon struck an orchard near Israel's northern border community of Margaliot, according to officials. The incident occurred in a moshav (collective agricultural community) in the Galilee region of northern Israel, as confirmed by Zaki Heller, spokesperson for Magen David Adom (MDA), the rescue services. The deceased victim was identified as Patnibin Maxwell, hailing from Kollam in Kerala, with his mortal remains identified at Ziv Hospital.

Bush Joseph George and Paul Melvin were among the injured, with George undergoing treatment at Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva for injuries sustained to his face and body. Melvin, who suffered minor injuries, was hospitalized at Ziv Hospital in the city of Safed.

The strike is believed to have been carried out by the Shiite Hezbollah faction in Lebanon, which has been launching daily attacks, including rockets, missiles, and drones, at northern Israel since October 8, purportedly in support of Hamas amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. In response to the attack, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shelled the launch site with artillery and targeted Hezbollah compounds in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah's attacks on Israel, ostensibly to support Gaza, have escalated tensions in the region. The group, along with other Iran-aligned factions, has intensified its efforts to aid Palestinians amidst the conflict. Despite diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire, Hezbollah has vowed to continue fighting unless a permanent ceasefire is reached for Gaza and Israeli shelling of Lebanon ceases.