Hope persists for safe return of Kolkata couple stuck in Israel amid war with Hamas

The situation in Israel has taken a grim turn, with reports of daily acts of terrorism making headlines. In the midst of this turbulent period, a research couple from Kolkata has found themselves stranded in the throes of wartime conditions. Back in Uttarpara, their elderly parents anxiously count the days, yearning for the safe return of their children and the return of peace. Somoday Hazra and his wife, Jayita Dutta Hazra, hailing from Uttarpara in Hooghly dsitrict, are currently engaged in research on neurology in Haifa, Israel, along with their three-year-old daughter, Sindhura. Just a fortnight ago, their visit was marked by no hint of conflict in the air. However, within this short span of time, the situation has taken a drastic turn, leaving the Hazra couple in Israel fearful of impending terror. Meanwhile, their anxious parents in Uttarpara fervently pray for the safety of their son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. Somoday’s father, the former professor Uday Shankar Hazra, and his mother, a homemaker named Soma Hazra, had no inkling of the looming crisis when they visited their son. The city of Haifa, where their family resides, has not yet experienced direct warfare, although the impact of the conflict is apparent through the closure of all educational institutions. Somoday’s university remains open for research, but the situation is precarious. In a recent video call from Israel, Somoday recounted the unsettling experience of being directed to seek refuge in a bunker when sirens blared. They were also advised to stock up on water, food, and clothing for a potential seventy-two-hour ordeal. The Hazra couple is affiliated with the Israel Institute of Technology and had initially planned to return to Uttarpara on November 9, just before Kalipuja. However, they are now making every effort to expedite their return before that date. (with inputs from local18)