"Safe for now": Hugh Sheridan caught up in horrific Israel attacks
Hugh Sheridan has assured his followers he is "safe for now" after being stuck in Israel at the time Hamas launched a horror attack on the country.
The Aussie actor was holidaying in Israel with friends in celebration of the Jewish public holiday Simchat Torah when the attacks broke out, in which Palestinian militant group Hamas launched thousands of rockets from Gaza.
Hundreds of people have been killed and a "significant" number of people have been taken captive.
Sheridan took to Instagram to share the details of his terrifying ordeal, while reassuring his followers he is safe in the Middle Eastern country.
“A few hours ago everyone was living life completely normal in Israel,” Sheridan wrote.
“It was a big Jewish holiday yesterday, one week after new year. I met a family who had 150 fly in for their wedding tomorrow. We were at a bbq yesterday with young people who at this very minute are on their way to Gaza to fight."
“A few hours later, this country is at war. Their lives have completely changed in an instant. It’s unbelievable how quickly and brutal the attack has been. With no warning. My heart breaks. I’m in the stairwell so safe for now. X love you all.”
Sheridan later revealed he was struggling to find a cab to get to the airport to escape the dangerous fighting.
“Desperately looking for a cab to the airport to try and get out. The missiles were way too close,” he wrote alongside a video of the “eerily quiet” street.
Sheridan again updated his followers to let them know he and his friends had successfully fled the country, and were on a plane to Athens in Greece.
Once arriving safely in Greece, Sheridan spoke to Karl Stefanovic and Sarah About on Today, admitting he feels guilty leaving after meeting lots of wonderful people on his trip.
"I feel sad I'm not there, I feel guilty for getting out but I knew what we had to do but it's really hard thinking about all the wonderful people that we met and how dramatically their lives have changed in one day," he said.
"These are such wonderful people - every single person I have met so far has been called or voluntarily going to fight for their lives and it is just incredible to be in a country that feels very much like Australia and see it change within hours."
Since the attacks began on Saturday, at least 600 Israelis have been killed and more than 2000 are injured, according to the country’s media, while the Israeli military confirmed a "significant" number of civilians are being held hostage in Gaza.
Israel’s Major General Ghasan Alyan said, “Hamas opened the gates of hell on the Gaza Strip, Hamas made the decision and Hamas will bear the responsibility and pay the price.”
Image credits: Instagram