‘The worst experience of my life’: Travelers from Tel Aviv describe Hamas attack

Police officer stand near a burned car at a scene where a rocket fired from Gaza strip hit a building on October 7, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Police officer stand near a burned car at a scene where a rocket fired from Gaza strip hit a building on October 7, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Photo credit Amir Levy/Getty Images

The attacks against Israel from Hamas killed thousands, and left hundreds scrambling to get out.

Some of the passengers onboard the flight from Tel Aviv to Los Angeles International Airport Monday morning shared their experiences with KNX News’ Craig Fiegener.

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“I just had the worst experience of my life,” a woman named Mia said. “I was in quarantine and I heard the rockets go off and my whole life changed.”

Another woman said she couldn’t believe what was happening in her country.

“I came here with a broken heart and I wish I could stay there and help because this is unreal,” she said. “This is a second Holocaust. I left my dad [in] a bad condition and I don’t know if I’m going to see him again.”

One guy said he and his brother were half a block away when Tel Aviv was hit.

“So we were outside during the siren. The street lit up, and you see the windows warp and stuff like that. It sounds like someone shot a gun next to your ear,” he said, adding that he still has the ringing in his ear.

Another woman said she took the chance to leave as soon as she could.

“I thought to myself that…if I don't leave tonight, then maybe they'll like they won't let me fly,” she said. “Maybe they'll close like maybe a lot of flights will be canceled. It will be more difficult to leave.

Many major airlines, including United and Delta, have suspended flights to Israel following the attacks.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Amir Levy/Getty Images