Local Jewish community gathers in support of Israel on Monday night
On Monday, groups across the Triangle came together to show their support to people in Israel, where the war is hitting close to home for many.
Raleigh residents gathered at David R Kahn Community Campus to show their solidarity.
Local, federal and state officials were in attendance.
In Durham, there was a second gathering at the Levin Jewish Community Center. Attendees started filing before 7 p.m.
Members of Jewish for Good asked for privacy during the event, and cameras were not allowed inside.
WRAL News was able to confirm that the main room and two overflow rooms filled quickly.
Rabbis offered prayers and reflection to guests for an hour. Jill Madsen with Jewish for Good said she had been up since 4 a.m. to ensure the safety of those in attendance.
"[I was] making sure the campus is safe and people coming here are safe," Madsen said. "Sometimes, that causes a rise antisemitism here locally."
Police in both cities were at the gatherings providing security for attendees.
Numerous gatherings were made across the United States, including in New York.
Additionally, Jewish Federations opened an emergency fund to support Israel and Israelis for those who would like to donate.
Hitting close to home
The connections to the conflict in Israel are deep here in our community. Some people have family there; others were just visiting for the weekend.
WRAL News has also spoken to some Americans who are trapped in Israel, praying for a flight out of the danger zone.
One local man currently stuck in Israel described hearing rockets and sirens go off and taking shelter in the stairwell of his hotel in Tel Aviv.
Another couple also described seeing Israeli militant groups canvassing nearby beaches and extra law enforcement at the airport.
The focal point of the violence is in southern Israel, near the Gaza Strip - but the devastation is reaching many people of the Jewish faith across the globe.
Some church groups have already gathered over the weekend to pray for Israel and loved ones trapped there. With no timetable for when the unrest will end, the community remained united in their
At least 11 U.S. citizens dead in conflict, several citizens 'unaccounted for'
The U.S. military is moving ships and aircraft closer to Israel.
Although officials say although they're taking action immediately, they say assets will not be in place for several days.
They're also working on a plan to help evacuate Americans from Israel, where at least 11 Americans were reportedly killed.
Officials say it may involve putting some Americans on Navy ships to get to them to safety.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller also said some U.S. citizens aren't accounted for, “and we are working with our Israeli partners to determine their whereabouts.”
Palestinian community and supporters rally in Raleigh
The Palestinian community is also coming together as this conflict grows.
Dozens gathered at Moore Square for a rally on Sunday.
The group held signs in the protest while chanting and marching through downtown Raleigh.
"We're out here to call for a free Palestine, to demand the end of the blockade on Gaza, to demand the end of the U.S. giving aid to Israel and to demand the freedom of all Palestinian prisoners," said an organizer for the event.
