A former New York City television news reporter has been stranded in Israel since Hamas terrorists ruthlessly attacked the country early Saturday in a devastating ambush that has pushed the country into war.
Rebecca Solomon, who left PIX11 at the end of last month, recounted what her family experienced when armed militants launched thousands of rockets from the Gaza Strip and crossed into Israeli communities by ground, air and sea.
The married mother is among many Americans who have not yet left the country as war rages on.
âWhen the sun goes down and it gets dark again, I get scared,â she told her former employer in an interview Sunday over the phone. âIâm scared for whatâs to come at night.â
The veteran reporter, who also used to work at News 12 Westchester, is with her husband and 8-month-old baby in the country visiting family and friends for the Jewish holidays.
She told News 12 in an interview that during the morning of the attack, she heard sirens blaring and rockets being stopped by the Iron Dome, the countryâs missile defense system.
âIf there was no Iron Dome after what happened this morning we would not be having this conversation,â she bluntly said. âThatâs how serious it is.â
Worst attack on Israel in 50 years: How we got here
2005: Israel unilaterally withdraws from the Gaza Strip over three decades after winning the territory from Egypt in the Six-Day War.
2006: Terrorist group Hamas wins a Palestinian legislative election.
2007: Hamas seizes control of Gaza in a civil war.
2008: Israel launches military offensive against Gaza after Palestinian terrorists fired rockets into the town of Sderot.
2023: Hamas launches the biggest attack on Israel in 50 years.
Over 700 Israelis are dead over 2,150 are wounded and 100 were taken hostage with the death toll expected to rise after Hamas terrorists fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of militants into Israeli towns.
Hamas terrorists were seen taking female hostages and parading them down the street in horrifying videos.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced âWe are at warâ and vowed Hamas would pay âa price it has never known.â
Gaza health officials report at least 300 Palestinians have been killed with 2,200 injured.
More than 700 Israelis have been killed by the Islamist militants and dozens more kidnapped, leaving the nation in a state of shock and grief.
Harrowing footage across social media shows revelers at an outdoor music festival running for their lives as Hamas terrorists killed 260 attendees and took others as hostages back to the Gaza Strip.
At least four Americans are included in the death toll.
Israel has since launched retaliatory strikes in the Gaza Strip, as Prime Minister Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed âmighty vengeanceâ following the Hamas attack.
Follow along with The Postâs live blog for the latest on Hamasâ attack on Israel
More than 400 Palestinians have been killed by the blows, Palestinian officials said.
Solomon showed News 12 her view from a balcony where she was standing â empty streets on a Saturday night that would usually be filled for the holiday Simchat Torah.
âWe know right now there are no flights going out at this point but weâll see what we can do in the next couple days when itâs safe,â she told News 12 Saturday. âI donât want to jeopardize my loved ones anymore. Weâre in a safe place right now.â
Solomon updated her Instagram followers Sunday that her family was fortunately able to get a flight out of the county back to New York.
âIt was not easy,â she said, adding sheâs thankful her family got a flight for later this week instead of next week.
âAnd then we just canât wait to return when things are better here and the climate is a little bit safer,â she added.
The journalist, who has 17 years in TV news under her belt, announced her departure from PIX 11 on Sept. 29 over social media and told fans she would let them know what her next move is after taking a break.
