Mackay’s Chantelle Matthews trapped in Israel Hamas war
A Queensland woman is sheltering in a bunker without toilets or bedding after being caught up in the Israeli war, the deadliest incursion into Israel territory since Egypt and Syria’s attacks 50 years ago.
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A Queensland woman is sheltering in a bunker without toilets or bedding after being caught up in the Israeli war, the deadliest incursion into Israel territory since Egypt and Syria’s attacks 50 years ago.
Chantelle Matthews had not long ago arrived in Tel Aviv after travelling through Greece, Macedonia and Albania.
Ms Matthews, who lives in Mackay, was wanting to visit the Holy City to retrace Jesus’ steps.
She had first checked travel advice that it was safe to head to Jerusalem, which was a green zone before the Hamas terrorist group attack.
Now, she is hiding in a Jerusalem bunker with people of different religious backgrounds including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam – in what is known as a quadrant area.
There are bombs and missiles flying over their heads through the night while those trapped focus on food, water and keeping their mobiles charged so they can stay in touch with families oceans apart.
Ms Matthews is communicating with her family back in Mackay in a bid to share information about the reality on the ground in Israel.
She cannot flee as all flights are grounded and borders are locked down.
It comes as Hamas has threatened to start executing hostages for every civilian house bombed in the Gaza Strip after Israel turned it into rubble and mobilised 300,000 troops in preparation for a massive ground invasion.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they would “change the Middle East” in retaliation for one of the bloodiest attacks in history, that has left 900 Israelis dead, and more than 500 dead in Gaza.
Hamas has taken at least 100 Israeli hostages.
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Originally published as Mackay’s Chantelle Matthews trapped in Israel Hamas war
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