Two United States lawmakers were still in Israel when Palestine militant group Hamas attacked the nation Saturday morning.
On Monday, Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) described his escape from Tel Aviv with his family over the weekend as “traumatic,” but said that it did not compare to the violence breaking out in other parts of Israel.
“I mean, our experience was traumatic. But of course it is nothing compared to so many Israelis down in the south just massacred with barbarism that we have not seen,” Goldman said on NBC's “Today Show.”
Rep. Goldman said that he awoke to sirens about 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, noting this family had about 90 seconds to take shelter. He said that he had never heard the sirens before, and his kids did not know what was going on.
He was not the only lawmaker to seek refuge in the country during the surprise attacks. According to The Hill, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) was in a bomb shelter in his hotel during the attacks with his staff. He and his staff were able to safely depart the country for the U.S. Sunday, but the New Jersey Democrat says that they are all “shaken” from the experience.
Hamas launched its surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare war on the organization and order retaliatory action.
The death toll continues to climb, with about 700 people dead in Israel and nearly 500 dead in Gaza. On Monday, the State Department confirmed nine Americans had been killed in the war.
“Yes, I can confirm that nine Americans unfortunately have lost their lives as a result of these horrific attacks in the region,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on CNN. “We are in close contact with the government of Israel as they continue to conduct security operations to locate missing US citizens, missing Israeli citizens.”
“And we are of course in close contact with the families of these nine deceased Americans and offering them any consular assistance that we can provide,” he added.
It's unclear how many Americans are in Israel at this time, with Miller on Monday morning noting that “it's very hard to say” how many U.S. citizens are unaccounted for as the fighting continues in the region.
“We've continued to work. Some of them will be located, we suspect some of them may unfortunately turn out to be deceased, but we will work on that with the Government of Israel in the coming days,” Miller said.
Lawmakers said they are working to bring their constituents home. On Sunday, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said that he was in touch with constituents in Israel amid the attacks.
“Well, we have been in touch with dozens of constituents who are in Israel currently. Obviously, for their safety and security, I'm not going to get too specific. But we are working with them, as well as the consulate, to try and get them out as quickly as possible,” he said on CNN's “State of the Union.”
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) also said Sunday that he has been notified by 53 of his own constituents, adding on Fox News's “Sunday Morning Futures” that they are “panicked” and “trying to find their way to get back to America”
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Democrats still in Israel, you agree with Biden sending billions to Iran. Your brain dead ! Biden is one of biggest racist against Israel. He shown his true colors since he was in the Senate. He hates Jewish people , black people, Asian people, India people. Just watch his speeches and tell me I’m wrong. He hates white people who won’t bow down to his sick ideas about destroying the American people’s rights. Biden lies every day. He showers with his daughter, lets his jollies with his grandchildren stroking the hair on his legs, swim nake in front of women agents, he sells out America for personal gain, he backs terrorists and gives them America’s weapons to turn them on America land. There is much more this dictator is doing to the American people. Destroying the appliances they use for every day life. Destroying oil and gas then bowing down to Iran and other countries that hate America. But your not allowed to disagree with him or the justice system will have you arrested. Republicans and the people better get it together before war breaks out in America.
Hi. Could you please spell Israel correctly?
Ah, Dan Goldman, this is the guy with his head up Dementia Joe’s backside!
Democrats trying to make their lives dramatic and worthwhile brings back memories of Hillary under sniper fire, Biden and Tutu and the champion of stolen valor democrat in the house
Glad to see both Dems had to hide in Israel that day
Welcome to Reality
Funny how Democrats are so easily traumatized by any peaceful protests they end up being in the neighborhood of.