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 boat.
The married mother is among many Americans who have not yet left the country as war rages on.
“When the sun goes down and it gets dark again, I get scared,” she told her former employer in an interview Sunday over the phone. “I’m scared for what’s to come at night.”
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.
Rebecca Solomon, a former Pix 11 reporter, is stranded in Israel as war breaks out. RebeccaSolomonTV / X
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 country’s missile defense system.
“If there was no Iron Dome after what happened this morning we would not be having this conversation,” she bluntly said. “That’s how serious it is.”
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.
The veteran reporter is with her husband and 8-month-old baby in the country visiting family and friends for the Jewish holidays.RebeccaSolomonTV / X
Solomon also used to work at News 12 Westchester.RebeccaSolomonTV / X
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 “mighty vengeance” following the Hamas attack. More than 400 Palestinians have been killed by the blows, Palestine officials said.
Solomon showed News 12 her view from a balcony where she was standing — empty streets on a Saturday night that would usually be filled for the holiday Simchat Torah.
A missile explodes in Gaza City during an Israeli air strike on Oct. 8, 2023.AFP via Getty Images
Israeli soldiers are seen at the southern Israeli town of Ofakim on Oct. 8, 2023.CHINE NOUVELLE/SIPA/Shutterstock
“We know right now there are no flights going out at this point but we’ll see what we can do in the next couple days when it’s safe,” she told News 12 Saturday. “I don’t want to jeopardize my loved ones anymore. We’re in a safe place right now.”
Solomon updated her Instagram followers Sunday that her family was fortunately able to get a flight out of the county back to New York.
“It was not easy,” she said, adding she’s thankful her family got a flight for later this week instead of next week.
“And then we just can’t wait to return when things are better here and the climate is a little bit safer,” 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.
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