Two Gujarati women from Manavadar served Israeli Army that is presently at war with Hamas

Junagadh: Today marks the fourth day of the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian-based terror outfit Hamas, with the number of casualties continuing to rise. Amidst this fierce conflict, two women of Gujarati origin are in the limelight as they took up arms as they served in the Israeli Army.

The fathers of these two women, Jivabhai Muliyasia and Savdasbhai Muliyasia, hail from Kothadi village in Manavadar taluka of Junagadh. They left for Israel years ago and acquired Israeli citizenship. Muliyasias have settled in Israel for years. Their daughters served in the Israeli Defense Forces, performing their duties.

Jivabhai Muliyasia who is the father of Nitsha, one of the two cousins, explained that Nitsha joined the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) as part of Israel’s compulsory military service system for all citizens above 18 years of age. Muliyasia also mentioned that Israel’s education system fosters leadership qualities in children.

Speaking about his daughter earlier, he had said, “My daughter had been stationed at the borders of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt for the past two years. She was stationed in Gush Den, the battleground from which Israeli forces were attacking Hamas in Gaza in 2021.”

The daughters are at present abroad and not part of the ongoing war.

Israel is home to a significant number of Gujarati people, drawn to the country for various reasons such as trade, education, and employment. In Israel, there is a rule that requires both men and women, regardless of gender, to serve in the IDF for at least 24 to 32 months.

Bharatbhai Muliyasia, who lives in Kothadi village, which has a population of 1200 people, said that his two uncles, Jeevabhai and Savdasbhai Muliyasia, moved to Israel in 1989 and 1996, respectively, where they were granted Israeli citizenship, and each had a daughter who served in the Israel Army.

Ramdebhai Muliyasia, the husband of the village sarpanch Bharmiben, stated that numerous youths from Kothadi village have been working in Israel for 30-35 years. He emphasized that they are safe and secure in Israel.

The family of Jivabhai lives in Tel Aviv. It is also learnt that during his trip to Israel, former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and his wife Anjaliben paid a visit to Jeevabhai’s residence and enjoyed a meal with the family.

As the conflict between Israel and Hamas rages on, both sides continue to launch attacks. Civilians are also suffering from airstrikes and bombings, with over 900 Israelis killed and more than 2,700 injured, and 560 Palestinians losing their lives with over 2,400 injured. Both countries are in a dire situation as missiles continue to rain down, filling the skies with smoke, and people’s lives hang in the balance.

Israel has deployed 100,000 soldiers along the Gaza border and has another 300,000 on standby. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant has instructed officials to cut off food, water, electricity, and fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip. The conflict has not only claimed the lives of Palestinians and Israelis but also those of citizens from other countries. Nine Americans and ten Britons have lost their lives, and there is no immediate end in sight to the war. DeshGujarat