A man from Kerala, who had gone on a tourist visa to Israel, was allegedly shot dead by Jordanian security forces while attempting to cross the Israel-Jordan border.

Thomas Gabriel, 47, from Thumba in Thiruvananthapuram was on a trip to Israel with a relative, Edison, a resident of Menamkulam. Edison had also tried to cross the border with Gabriel. He was shot at too, but survived with injuries to his leg. After medical intervention, he was repatriated to India. But Gabriel’s mortal remains are still in Israel even as the government is working on the legal formalities for transportation of the deceased back to India.

About five years ago, Gabriel was in Kuwait on employment as a security guard. He was there for three years, but returned to Kerala where he earned a living as an autorickshaw driver. Sources close to his family say that Gabriel had financial struggles.

Gabriel’s wife Christina said that her huband could be reached on the phone a few days after his arrival in Israel from where he had assured her that he was safe. Then when he stopped answering her calls, Christina reached out to NORKA (Department of Non Resident Keralite’s Affairs) to trace him. A letter from the Indian embassy in Amman, Jordan’s capital, informed the family that despite warnings from Jordanian guards, Gabriel and Edison attempted to walk into Israel from Jordan. “The guards opened fire on them. One bullet hit Thomas in his head and he died on the spot,” said the letter.

Investigations reveal that Gabriel and Edison were promised a job in Israel by another man from Kerala, an agent who had given them Jordanian tourist visas. – editor@nrifocus.com