According to CNN, its believed dozens of people were taken captive in Israel over the weekend. Many here in San Antonio say the phone is their life line for family.
Winslow Swart and Nammie Ichilov have been keeping in contact with family in Israel who have been hunkering down in bomb shelters.Winslow Swart was in synagogue when news broke about the sudden escalation of a long-running conflict.
According to authorities, at least 900 Israeli citizens have been killed as of Monday. In Gaza, hundreds more have been killed in retaliatory strikes by Israeli military. Thousands have been wounded on both sides. “We’ve experienced the greatest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust,” Swart said. “Obviously, we’re immediately concerned about our family and all our extended family, which is the entire people. So it put a real damper on our festivities because our hearts are with them right now.” Swart has been keeping in touch with loved ones who live in Israel, although at times that's been difficult. “This is something you never want to hear as a parent, as a grandparent: 'Oh, hold on, Dad, those are the sirens. We have to go to the bomb shelter now. I’ll call you back.' It brings home the reality of the situation,” Swart said. Nammie Ichilov serves as president of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio. He said his sister and her family have hunkered down in a bunker. “She is a stalwart of having seen many inaction taken against Jews. But at 83, she just said, 'Listen, this is where I live, this is where I am and I’m staying,'” he said. As the war between Israel and Hamas continues, Ichilov, Swart and many others in the Jewish community are praying for resolution. “Our hope for the future is peace," Ichilov said."Actions against civilians, actions that terrorize neighborhoods, actions that steal hostages are not going to get us closer to peace,."No, U.S. taxpayer money did not fund the Hamas attack on Israel
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