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Daughter of Boston college professor, son-in-law among dead in Israel: Couple died jumping on teenage son to save him from hail of bullets
Troen teaches Israel studies at the private school, having studied there as an undergraduate himself before earning his doctorate at the University of Chicago
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The daughter and son-in-law of a Boston college professor were among those killed in Israel after a series of fierce attacks by the Palestinian terror group Hamas.
Professor Ilan Troen, 83, had recently retired from his position at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, and moved to Israel to be with his family.
The Boston-born academic recalled how his daughter and son-in-law were killed by gunmen from the Gaza Strip on Saturday – and how the couple managed to save their teenage son by throwing their bodies over him.
The family was sitting together in a secure room in their home when Hamas fighters broke in.
The young boy, Troen’s grandson, was shot in the abdomen and is in the hospital.
The death toll from the surprise attacks among Israelis has reached 600.
Professor Ilan Troen had recently retired from his position at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, and moved to Israel to live.
Speak with NPR From a room in Israel’s Soroka Hospital, Professor Ilan Troen said: ‘My daughter and son-in-law were murdered today, but in their death they saved his life.
‘They followed his body.
“They were all in the secure room together. And they covered his body and he was saved. Nevertheless, a bullet passed through them and went into his stomach.”
Brandeis University confirmed the professor’s tragedy.
They said in a statement: “We at Brandeis are deeply saddened to learn that Professor Troen has lost his daughter and son-in-law in the tragic events currently unfolding in Israel.
“Ilan, a Brandeis alumnus, and his family have long been valued members of the Brandeis community, and we will keep Ilan, his wife Carol and his entire family in our thoughts.
“We strongly condemn terrorism as we have seen against innocent civilians today.”
Troen taught Israel studies at the private school, having studied there as an undergraduate himself before earning his master’s and PhD from the University of Chicago.
Journalist Bari Weiss wrote on social media: “So many friends of mine consider Ilan Troen 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.”
Historian Martin Kramer said, “My friend Ilan Troen, who did so much for Israel studies in America, has suffered an unimaginable loss. He recently retired from Brandeis and returned to Israel. A miracle wrapped in tragedy.’