Updated: Dec 31, 2023
(December 24, 2023) A B’nei Menashe soldier, the war’s third to be wounded, Yonathan Hmar, 35, of Nof Hagalil, was hit by Hamas rocket fire in the Gaza Strip on Shabbat morning 8:30 am. He suffered stomach injuries and was transferred to Soroka Hospital in Be’ersheva, where he underwent surgery. His condition, our Newsletter has told by his sister Roselyn Hmar, is said to be stable. Yonathan made Aliyah to Israel from Mizoram with his mother, Yokheved Chhangte, in 2014.
(December 20, 2023) The second B’nei Menashe casualty of the current war occurred on Wednesday, when Yitzhak Chawngthu, 20, of Nof Hagalil, was hit by Hamas rocket fire in the Gaza Strip while in an armored vehicle. Chanwgthu was wounded in both legs and transferred to Barzillai Hospital at Ashkelon, where his conditions was said to be stable though possibly in need of surgery. He made Aliyah to Israel from Mizoram with his parents, Daniel and Mazal Chawngthu, in 2014.
(December 20, 2023) After an agreement with government authorities, the ITLF (Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum) has taken the bodies of Kuki-Zo killed in the 8 month long conflict from morgues including those from Imphal and Lamka hospitals. It includes the remains of Joel Jamkhogin Baite, 42, who was killed in early part of the conflict. He is a member of the Bnei Menashe Beit Shalom community, Lamka. The chairman of the BMC-I, Mr WL Hangshing had sent a letter (a copy is attached below) to the ITLF thanking them for the honor bestowed on the departed and ensuring a dignified burial for all, including Baite.
According to reports, 61 bodies lying in various hospital mortuary all over Manipur of the Kuki-Zo community have been flown home to be given a fitting and dignified burial as had been ordered by the Indian Supreme Court. Baite was one of the fatalities in the violence that had broken out in Manipur since the 3rd of May this year. The dead were given gun salute and full honors as per tribal customs.
