An 83-year-old father has spoken out after his daughter and son-in-law were among those who tragically died in Israel.
Boston College professor Ilan Troen had just retired from his work at Brandeis University in Massachusetts and moved to Israel to be with his family.
Sadly, his daughter Debbie Shahar Troen Mathias and her husband Shlomi Mathias were killed by Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.
The couple died while saving their teenage son by covering him from the gunmen.
According to reports, more than 600 Israelis are feared dead as thousands more have been left injured after the surprise attack by militants.
Professor Ilan Troen told NPR: “My daughter and son-in-law were killed today, but, in their dying, saved his life. They followed his body.
“They were all together in the secure room. And they covered his body, and he was saved. He – nevertheless, a bullet penetrated them and went into his abdomen.”
In a statement, Brandeis University officials said: “We at Brandeis are deeply saddened to learn that Professor Troen has lost his daughter and son-in-law in the tragic events that are currently taking place in Israel.
“Ilan, a Brandeis alumnus, and his family have long been treasured members of the Brandeis community, and we hold Ilan, his wife Carol, and his entire family in our thoughts.
“We condemn in the strongest way terrorism such as we have seen today perpetrated against innocent civilians.”
On Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that ‘several Americans’ may be among the victims and captured in the attacks.
Historian Martin Kramer said: “My friend Ilan Troen, who has done so much for Israel studies in America, has suffered an unimaginable loss.
“He just recently retired from Brandeis and returned home to Israel. A miracle wrapped in tragedy.”
Journalist Bari Weiss took to social media and wrote: “So many friends of mine count Ilan Troen as a beloved teacher and mentor.
“Today his daughter and son-in-law were murdered in their home by terrorists. They managed to save their son.”
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