SAFE BUT HAVING TROUBLE RETURNING HOME: PACIFIC ISLANDERS IN ISRAEL
Catastrophic scenes from the Israel and Palestine conflict (Photo: Reuters)
After being stuck for days due to airline cancellations, several hundred Pacific Islanders affected by the crisis in Israel are starting their homeward flights.
The week-long Feast of the Tabernacle, the largest Christian holiday in Israel, drew 3000 people from over 80 countries, including delegations from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga. Over 300 Pacific Islanders have been traveling the nation as part of their vacation, taking in historical sights, partaking in religious services and parades, and celebrating Christianity.
The Pacific delegates, however, awoke at the crack of dawn on Saturday to the terrible news of the Hamas attack and found themselves stranded in a war-torn nation, to the sound of air raid sirens and missiles hurtling overhead. Fifty Cook Islanders sought safety in Jericho, which is just a two-hour drive from the Gaza Strip.
In the early hours of the next night, they were able to escape to Jerusalem, where the other Pacific delegates had gathered.
As they waited for updates on the situation, the delegates found solace and support in one another's company. They joined hands, prayed, and sang together.
On social media, the four Pacific teams have posted that they are all present and accounted for.
Overseas and Global news teams have reported the Israeli government as claiming that while about 700 Palestinians have died in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, the number of Israelis dead in the surprise onslaught by Hamas has grown to 900. Israel has declared a total blockade on the terrorists' stronghold in the Gaza Strip, cutting off all fuel, food, and water supplies.
In the event that Palestinian people are not informed in advance about upcoming airstrikes, the Al-Qasam brigades, often known as Hamas' armed wing, have vowed to kill Israeli captives.
As a result of "ongoing Israeli aggression, especially in Gaza," Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged the UN to act promptly to avert a humanitarian catastrophe.
At the moment, 300+ Pacific Islanders in Israel are returning back to their homelands and reported safe in their current environment.
(This is a developing story)