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Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza - Sports - Nairaland

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Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by dre11(m): 9:18pm On May 24, 2021
How Nigerian Footballer Was Nearly Killed By Hamas Rocket That Hit His Home In Israel

Israel-based Nigerian footballer, Ibezito Ogbonna has said he is lucky to be alive after his apartment in the Israeli city of Ashdod was hit by a rocket fired from Gaza last week.

Ogbonna, who was a former under-23 striker was at home with his wife and two young daughters when the building suffered a direct hit, BBC Sports Africa reports.

The 38-year-old, who won the Israeli Cup with Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2006 and 2007, was injured from the impact of the rocket and taken to hospital but his family were unhurt.

The incident was part of a recent 11-day escalation in violence between Israel and Gaza.

Ogbonna was quoted as saying, "I am extremely lucky to be alive after this rocket was fired and it's third time lucky for me after being involved in a car crash and a horrible robbery incident in Nigeria.

"We were all aware of the attempt [possible strike] and we always get the warning signs about possible missiles. We often hear sirens echo across the city's streets which tends to prompt people to rush to a shelter.


"On this day I was having breakfast and I heard the wailing siren. Normally, we'd run to the shelter because every house has its own shelter. I felt it's the normal warning, but within seconds it turned out to be an unlucky day for me.

"I heard the loud bang of the rocket and felt the immediate impact, I was thrown into the air and it took me from my dining room to my living room.


"I could see glasses and other objects flying around me. I hit the ground, I stood up to look around for my family. They were very lucky too, my wife had taken cover with my daughters, I think one of the doors landed on her.

"I could see the whole building was gone. We are talking about a four-storey building with about 30 people. The security doors between my kitchen and living room ripped out and everything totally wrecked.


"Cars were smashed and it was then I realised I had a cut and my knee was hurting badly before the paramedics took me in an ambulance to the hospital.

"I was in the hospital for a few hours. I was treated and had different tests just to check that everything was okay with me. They weren't sure I was fine considering what had happened."


He continued, "It's difficult to explain the impact of what I saw. Coming out of this alive was a complete miracle. We are talking about the same attack that has left several people badly wounded.

"We've had casualties since this thing started, but you are just grateful to be alive and not listed among the dead.

"A lot of families have been left homeless with their possessions destroyed and a place they've always called home flattened."

With no home to return to, the Ogbonnas and 13 other families are now staying at a hotel as the Israeli government look to resettle them.

But the former Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa striker is still remembered fondly by fans of Hapoel Tel Aviv, despite leaving the club 14 years ago.

After scoring 40 goals in 132 appearances for Israel's second most successful side, there is a renewed bond being forged as the club's supporters have launched a fund-raising campaign to help him get back on his feet.

"Hapoel Tel Aviv fans have been incredibly amazing, without my knowledge they had started a fundraising to help support me," Ogbonna added.

"As soon as the news broke that my apartment was hit, they started reaching out and calling my phone. I didn't ask them for anything yet they were offering to help.


"I remember one of them got my contact and I think he put it out on the fan page for other supporters to reach out. Messages of love, prayers and unbelievable support from a club I left over a decade ago.

"Some were telling me to come over to theirs if I had no place to stay. They've gone out to buy stuff and clothes for me and my family.

"I was getting deliveries of different things at the hotel without even knowing about it. I don't even know these guys. It's a massive love and I can't thank them enough.


"It's another proof that wherever you find yourself as a footballer or whatever you do. Be a good person and respect everyone because you never know when life will bring you back again."

Despite his experience, Ogbonna, who now has Israeli citizenship, however, said Israel is a safe place. He remains confident that Israel will continue to attract talent from Africa and his native country.

He said: "Israel is still a safe place and despite what has happened here, I believe African players will continue to come to this beautiful country.

"A lot of Nigerians have made a name for themselves playing here and I hope we can get more talented players to come over here. One thing I know is that life will return to normal and everyone will continue to feel safe.

"The government here will continue to ensure the safety of everyone on this great nation and personally, I always feel safer here than anywhere else in the world."

https://saharareporters.com/2021/05/24/how-nigerian-footballer-was-nearly-killed-hamas-rocket-hit-his-home-israel

52 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by Ngenge(m): 9:19pm On May 24, 2021
Thank God for life

147 Likes 10 Shares

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by KallmemrB0: 9:20pm On May 24, 2021
Thank God oooo.... Imagine Boko haram still aiming for you in Israel

333 Likes 18 Shares

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by XXXXTENTACION: 9:25pm On May 24, 2021
God punish thoes islamic terrorists...
they will rot in hell with their 72 virgins embarassed
Amin....

190 Likes 11 Shares

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by thorpido(m): 9:56pm On May 24, 2021
He's really lucky.A friend's brother was hit and died in a similar incidence in Israel.

52 Likes 7 Shares

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by kingjooo(m): 10:22pm On May 24, 2021
Una see am? This is what we call good governance,the welfare of every living thing within her territory is non negotiable. Now the israeli government wants to re_settle them,but naija here if u no be politician omo na one chance u de o.But i de always ask GOD 4 my dream why na here him see to create me put,if usa,russia or england too far him for just put me for south africa i for even manage am

159 Likes 7 Shares

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by Karlovych: 11:01pm On May 24, 2021
embarassed embarassed So happy for him, Obama's terrorist activities in the Middle East has commenced.

12 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by alphaconde(m): 9:52am On May 25, 2021
no where is safe. every morning I resign to God.

13 Likes

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by Thisis2raw(m): 9:52am On May 25, 2021
I hope that our brothers in Oyo state will get to read this

Think about these two questions: If, tomorrow, Israel laid down its arms and announced, “We will fight no more,” what would happen? And if the Arab countries around Israel laid down their arms and announced “We will fight no more,” what would happen?

If Israel stop fighting and lay down their arms, there will be immediate destruction of the state of Israel and the mass murder of its Jewish population. But if the Palestinians and Arab there lay down their arms, there would be peace the next day.

Israel vs Palestine case is a simple problem to describe: One side wants the other dead -- and if it didn’t, there would be peace.

102 Likes 11 Shares

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by BetExpert: 9:53am On May 25, 2021
When Israel drops a bomb on Islamic Terrorists now, the Muslim terrorists in Nigeria will be doing protests

118 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by kelvyn7: 9:53am On May 25, 2021
Okokobioko! shocked
Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by YoungLionken(m): 9:53am On May 25, 2021
For those of you clamoring for war, hope you see this now? One of our own is already a victim, in less than two weeks war.

Imagine another war breaking out in Nigeria..

Again, war never produce results without damage...

15 Likes

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by Dpaulie(m): 9:54am On May 25, 2021
Thought they said it's Zionist that was offensive

10 Likes 1 Share

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by Righteousness2(m): 9:54am On May 25, 2021
Thanks to GOD you are Safe!
Meanwhile The Enemies of Israel says the terrorists are innocent!
You can Imagine the Casulties that could have been in Israel if they didn't have this Special GOD invented Iron dome.

Israel is Blessed by the Most High GOD.

51 Likes 1 Share

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by HEAVEN4444: 9:54am On May 25, 2021
shocked
Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by OkpaNsukkaisBae(m): 9:54am On May 25, 2021
You're lucky
Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by NaijaOlosho(f): 9:55am On May 25, 2021
grin
Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by pennyseo: 9:55am On May 25, 2021
A Nigerian Home has been hit by Hamas Rocket let us protest and burn the flag of hams
Let's remember that this is our own how can Hamas destroy his home like that grin grin grin

32 Likes 1 Share

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by kollinz1234(m): 9:55am On May 25, 2021
Every Muslim has a tendency to become a terrorist























Kiss the truth.

99 Likes 12 Shares

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by Deicide: 9:55am On May 25, 2021
The media made it look Asif Isreal was the problem but Na the Hamas people first start am.

54 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by sofeo(m): 9:55am On May 25, 2021
Wow.

Where's Iron Dome now?.

1 Like

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by Sebastine1994(m): 9:56am On May 25, 2021
h
Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by Vaughanlanrewaj: 9:56am On May 25, 2021
thorpido:
He's really lucky.A friend's brother was hit and died in a similar imcidence in Israel.

Eeyah.. sorry about your loss.
I still remember watching the Isreali police attacking unharmed Muslim worshippers while praying inside the holy site mosque and had a premonition that this police brutality Netanyahu approved to get a war he needs to get votes he badly needs after his failure to win will lead to loss of innocent lives and properties.
Everyone knows that Ramadan is a Holy month in Islam and that location he sent to attack the Muslims is one of the holiest sites in Islam.
Yet he chose that time and place to attack unharmed Muslim worshippers .
Truth be told, Netanyahu is the cause of the deaths on both sides.

8 Likes

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by adecz: 9:57am On May 25, 2021
cool

Hammas know that Igbos
are claiming Jewish heritage,
that's why he was targeted❗❗

cool cool cool

1 Like

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by H2ho(m): 9:57am On May 25, 2021
Over to the Jews....wat y’a all have to say? grin grin

1 Like

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by sugarfrank(m): 9:58am On May 25, 2021
Nigerians are also very loveable people. They can do twice as much as those isreali's are doing over there.
Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by Sagtop: 9:58am On May 25, 2021
...He Should Leave Propaganda & Show Us His Imagine Just Like Palestinians Littered Their Imagine Of Israeli Attrocities On Their Land.

Is He Telling Us That The Protective Iron Done Discriminated Against His House Because He Is A Black Man, Cut Me Some Snacks Pls undecided

6 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Ibezito Ogbonna's Home In Israel Hit By Hamas Rocket Fired From Gaza by patriotic007: 9:58am On May 25, 2021
If that land of Isreal was left for this Arabs by now it would have been like Afghanistan

9 Likes

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