More travelers fleeing Israel make it back home to Newark Airport: "There's a war going on"
NEWARK, N.J. -- More people who have been trapped in Israel are finally making it back home to the Tri-State Area.
Two flights landed Tuesday morning at Newark Liberty International Airport, where CBS New York's John Dias spoke with travelers as they arrived.
"What I saw -- I'm sorry -- it's been more than a week... I couldn't sleep. I actually fainted," Israeli businessman Eliezer Gross said, getting emotional.
Gross was traumatized after volunteering with the recovery efforts in his war-torn country, then hopping on a flight to America for work, and temporarily giving up his home to strangers while he's abroad.
"That they can live there because they escaped the south," Gross said.
At Newark Liberty International Airport Tuesday, most people getting out of harm's way told Dias they have a feeling of survivor's remorse, and immense amount of worry for loved ones still back in Israel.
One woman who spoke with Dias was picking up her friends from the airport.
"It's very hard. I am very happy for them to be safe, but I want everyone in Israel to be safe," she said.
Most people trying to leave are relying on foreign airlines and charter flights to get back to America since major U.S. airlines have suspended their direct flights to and from Israel for the near future.
"I know of other people who had to through one, two other countries," Dr. Roberta Strauchler said.
"If you had United Airlines, Delta Airlines, or American ticket, you were up the creek," Dr. Irving Strauchler said.
A Pittsburgh woman was in Capetown on her way to Israel when she learned of the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas, and was unable to to get to visit because of it. She just arrived back Tuesday.
"I am afraid for our soldiers. I am afraid for my son, his son," she said. "My 100-year0old mother in law, who somehow has to maneuver to a bomb shelter with her caregiver."
On the other side of the war, there are also people here in America who have loved ones trapped in Gaza.
Palestinian American groups said around 500 Americans are stuck in the city.
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