‘I feel awful actually’: Adelaide actor Hugh Sheridan escapes Israel conflict

Adelaide-born actor Hugh Sheridan has spoken of his harrowing near-miss after Hamas’s attack on Israel – and why he doesn’t feel lucky.

Hugh Sheridan has described how he narrowly escaped the attack on Israel after turning down a ticket to a rave where 260 people died and others were kidnapped.

The Adelaide-born singer and actor, who fled to the Greek capital Athens amid Hamas’ attacks, said he almost found himself at the music event which eventually was the target of an attack.

He was buying a ticket to a barbecue event when the ticket seller offered him a discount to the music festival which was eventually “invaded by the terrorists”.

“I said no to that thankfully because it seemed a bit out of the way,” he told Channel 9’s Today Show.

“But it’s weird looking back thinking, if I just said, ‘oh yeah I’ll go to that’ … I would have been there.”

Australian actor Hugh Sheridan just hours before Hamas launched an attack on Israel.

He said he met a friend while on holiday, a 24-year-old sous chef, who he said is now currently fighting on the front lines in Gaza.

“His girlfriend’s been kidnapped because she was at that party,” Sheridan said.

Sheridan managed to get on a flight to Greece but said he isn’t feeling any relief.

“I feel awful … I don’t feel good at all,” he said.

Aussies caught up in Israel war. David Draper (left) Hugh Sheridan (right) Picture: Instagram

“It’s a very strange feeling and a few people have said, ‘oh you should feel great that you got out, you should be celebrating’ and I don’t feel like that.

“I actually feel like a big cry is coming on.”

Sheridan was enjoying Tel Aviv, a place he said was like “home” when the attacks began.

“They didn’t know they were being invaded,” he said.

“There was no warning and it was very very hardcore turn around.”

At least 700 Israelis have lost their lives in the conflict while around 2000 people have been injured, while 413 Palestinians have been killed and 2600 injured.

Hugh Sheridan (centre) shelters with friends including David Draper (right) in an Israeli hotel stairwell. Picture: Instagram/David Anthony Draper

On Sunday Sheridan took to Instagram while taking shelter in the hotel stairwell.

“A few hours ago everyone was living life completely normal in Israel,” he 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 (sic) 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.”

Hours later, Sheridan and his friends were on a flight out of Tel Aviv, bound for Athens.