Varanasi Family's Double Worry: Son Stuck in Israel, Father Missing

Brijesh Kumar had gone to Israel for better prospects and to support his family in the absence of his father, who went missing in 2014.

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): A family in Kohasi village of Varanasi is faced with a sense of unease as their son, Brijesh Kumar Gaurav, is trapped in Israel amid the country’s conflict with Iran.

Brijesh had gone to Israel for better prospects to support his family in the absence of his father, Sunil Kumar Verma, who has been missing since 2014, and all efforts to locate him yielded no results.

Employed at a hotel, Brijesh would manage all responsibilities of the family, including repaying debts, until the hostilities broke out in Israel.

Mother Narrates Ordeal

Asha Devi, Brijesh's mother, says she witnessed chaos unfolding around her son when he spoke to the family via video call from Israel.

“On Wednesday, when Iran fired missiles at Israel, Brijesh was speaking to us. He showed us the missiles falling nearby, and the sky was filled with fire," she says, adding that the conversation has left the family in distress.

"No parent sends their child abroad without compulsion. We had no idea war would break out," she says, as her voice shakes, probably demonstrating helplessness.

Brijesh's younger sister also recounted the terrifying circumstances he was in. "Bhaiya was so scared; he showed us the missiles falling on the phone," she says.

Family's Unending Search

Almost a decade ago, Brijesh’s father Verma went missing, which began the Gaurav family's struggle. He had left home to work and never returned.

Asha Devi claims that, despite many police complaints and requests to the district administration and police officers, his whereabouts are unknown.

"We tried very hard to find him, but our pleas fell on deaf ears," she states.

As the fight between Israel and Iran rages on, the Gaurav family hopes for Brijesh’s safe return and the homecoming of his father.

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