Nova Peris, Erin Molan trapped in Israel as Iran rocket terror hits

Former Olympian Nova Peris and media personality Erin Molan are trapped in Israel as Iranian rockets rain down on the Jewish state.

Former Australian Olympian and Labor Senator Nova Peris and media personality Erin Molan are both trapped in Israel as Iranian rockets rain down on the Jewish state.

The pair, posting to X, are both in Tel Aviv, which has been hit by bombs and rockets in the past 24 hours.

“The past 24 hours have been deeply confronting,” Ms Peris said.

“We spent the early hours of yesterday in a bomb shelter, and much of today there too.

“The last four to five hours have been extremely frightening and distressing.”

The Middle East is on edge after Israel launched what it called “pre-emptive” strikes on the Iranian capital Tehran overnight.

Iran reportedly launched about 150 missiles in retaliatory strikes, nine of which landed in Israel.

Nova Peris sheltered in a bomb shelter as Iranian rockets hit Tel Aviv. Picture: Supplied

Australian media personality Erin Molan is also currently in Israel. Picture: Instagram

Ms Peris said she had bunkered down with 11 other Australians in a bomb shelter.

According to The Australian, the other members of the group are Ms Peris’ husband Scott Appleton, Aboriginal education manager Maurice Goolagong, eye surgeon Kris Rallah-Baker, Kimberley elder Ian Trust, Indigenous leaders Jody Hampton and Renee Fowlestone, The Australian’s Indigenous affairs correspondent Paige Taylor, filmmakers Annette and Eliya Cohen, lawyer Fred Linker and Middle East expert Bren Carlill.

The group is reportedly touring Israel as part of a delegation hosted by the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council

Foreign Minister Penny Wong is reportedly in contact with the group.

“We can’t wait to come home. But for now, we’re safe, in bomb shelters, we’re together, and our hearts are with all those living through this terror,” Ms Peris said.

“We’ve witnessed the unrelenting ballistic missile attacks in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and across Israel.

“There have now been three waves of missiles fired directly from Iran, targeting civilians, destroying homes and causing widespread devastation.”

Ms Molan, who was previously a Sky News host and Daily Telegraph columnist, said in a video recorded from her shelter that the past few hours had been “like a movie”.

“I’m just in a shelter at the moment.

Ms Peris and the group are touring Israel with the AIJAC. Picture: Facebook

“Apparently, missiles have hit in Tel Aviv, I can hear the sounds around us.

“We’re just kind of relying on different updates that are coming in, but there were Houthi missiles incoming, but I’m not sure if these are Houthi or if they’re direct from Iran. But yeah, there’s a significant amount of activity happening now in Tel Aviv where we are now. You can hear missiles hitting.”

Global leaders have called for de-escalation of the conflict including UN chief Antonio Guterres.

“Israeli bombardment of Iranian nuclear sites,” Mr Guterres said.

“Iranian missile strikes in Tel Aviv.

“Enough escalation.”

Defence Minister Richard Marles, speaking on Saturday, said the government’s Consular Emergency Centre in Israel had received “a relatively small number of calls”.

“At this moment, airspace is closed,” he said.

“We’ve had a relatively small number of calls that have been made to the Consular Emergency Centre at this stage...in the context of these sorts of events, it is a relatively small number of contacts that we’ve had.”

Just last week Ms Peris posted on social media that she had “returned to the Holy Land”.

This is her third visit to Israel since the October 7 attacks in 2023, which triggered war between Israel and Hamas.

The posts show a wide-ranging tour of the country, including a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Originally published as Nova Peris, Erin Molan trapped in Israel as Iran rocket terror hits