Clarissa Ward, chief international correspondent at CNN, had just begun reporting a live segment from Israel when Hamas rockets flew overhead, forcing her and her crew to duck for cover.
Infootagethat aired in real-time on CNN, Ward, 43, and three others rushed to the side of a road near the Israel-Gaza border.
CNN’s Clarissa Ward and team run for cover as missiles fly overhead in Israel.CNN/YouTube
CNN/YouTube
Less than a minute later, Ward began explaining the situation at the scene to CNN’s team, apologizing for her “un-elegant position” as she remained close to the ground.
The sounds of rockets and air strikes continued, and Ward said they could also hear Israel’s iron dome air defense system “intercepting a number of those rockets as they were whizzing overhead and making impact.”
CNN’s Clarissa Ward and her team duck for cover as missiles fly overhead near the Gaza-Israel border.CNN/YouTube
“Hamas militants came on a pickup truck. This was the first place where they breached that border wall, and they basically drove down this strip just spraying lead wherever they went," she said.
Cars are seen on fire following a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip in Ashkelon, southern Israel, on Oct. 7, 2023.AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty
AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty
Since the conflict began, more than 700 Israelis have been confirmed dead and 2,150 are injured, per the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Israel launched retaliatory attacks on what it called Hamas targets in Gaza following Saturday’s losses, and the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that as of Monday, 493 people in the Gaza Strip had been confirmed dead and more than 2,700 had been injured.
There are reportedly over 150 Israelis being held hostage in Gaza, with some U.S. citizens among them that are currently “unaccounted for,“The New York Timesreported.
As of Monday, nine Americans have been confirmed dead in Israel, according to a statement from the US National Security Council, the outlet said.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The conflict escalated even further Monday as Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallantsaidthat the country is “putting a complete siege on Gaza,” meaning “no electricity, no food, no water, no gas” for the Palestinian-controlled area along the Mediterranean Sea.
Of Gaza’s resources, Gallant said, “It’s all closed,” according toAl Jazeera.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that the battle with Hamas “has only just began” as he told leaders that “what Hamas will go through will be tough and terrible,” per theTimes.
source: people.com
