Violence erupted in Israel over the weekend, while hundreds of Pacific Islanders were visiting the region. Photo: AFP
Some of the hundreds of Pacific Islanders caught up in the conflict in Israel are beginning their journeys home, after days of being stranded by flight cancellations.
Delegations from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga were among 3000 visitors from over 80 nations attending the biggest Christian festival in Israel, the week-long Feast of the Tabernacle.
As part of the visit, over 300 Pacific Islanders had been touring the country, visiting historical sites, participating in services and parades and celebrating their faith.
But with sunrise on Saturday, the Pacific delegations awoke to the sound of air raid sirens and missiles flying overhead, as the horrifying news of the Hamas attack broke and they found themselves stranded in a country at war.
Fifty Cook Islanders found themselves sheltering in Jericho, only a two-hour drive away from the Gaza Strip.
In the early hours of the following night, they were able to evacuate to Jerusalem, where the other Pacific delegates also gathered.
The delegations found comfort and support in each others' company, joining hands, praying and singing together as they awaited updates on the situation.
The four Pacific teams have said on social media they are all safe and accounted for.
Cook Islanders safely out of Israel
The Cook Islands has confirmed their group made it onto an early morning flight to Dubai on Tuesday.
With flights still being cancelled due to the ongoing conflict, the Tongan delegation found themselves stranded at the airport.
As of Tuesday morning, they were still in Jerusalem trying to get onto a flight out of the country.
The Fijian and Samoan groups travelled to Israel together on a chartered Fiji Airways flight, which was scheduled to pick them up today.
RNZ Pacific understands they have invited other stranded delegates to join their flight, which will return to Fiji via Hong Kong.
According to the airline, the flight is still being reviewed and will be dependant on the advice of Israeli security authorities.
Back home in the Pacific Islands, worried family and friends are holding public prayer services for peace in Israel and the safe return of their loved ones.
Mixed emotions among stranded Pacific delegates
ABC reported on Tuesday afternoon that Reverend Manasa Kolivuso, who is part of the Fijian and Samoan delegation, said everyone in his group was safe.
"To be here on the ground in Jerusalem and actually experience it with the Jewish people, when they are under attack … I wasn't frightened. I was kind of excited," he said.
But he told ABC the immense loss of life was devastating.
The group visited Israeli kibbutzim near the Gaza border just before terror attacks broke out on Saturday morning.
"We were in one kibbutz where the mayor was one of our guest speakers, and the mayor was killed hours after the attack. That was so sad," he said.
Many Pacific countries have close ties with Israel.
Papua New Guinea opened a new embassy in Jerusalem last month and Fiji plans to do the same next year.
Leaders of both countries have condemned the attack on Israel and called on both parties to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Latest updates
The BBC and Reuters have reported the Israeli government saying that the number of Israelis killed in the surprise attack by Hamas has risen to 900, while almost 700 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza.
Israel has announced a complete siege of the Gaza strip - where the militants are based - cutting off supplies of food, water and fuel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the Israel Defence Forces' air strikes against Gaza were just the beginning.
He said "a number of Palestinian gunmen are still inside Israel".
The Al-Qasam brigades, known as the armed wing of Hamas, threatened to kill Israeli hostages if Palestinian civilians were not warned about impending air strikes.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on the United Nations to immediately intervene to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe, due to the "ongoing Israeli aggression, especially in Gaza," the official news agency WAFA reported.
For the latest on the situation check out RNZ's live updates on the unfolding conflict.
- RNZ with ABC
