As the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas continues to escalate, Bollywood actress Nushrratt Bharuccha has reportedly found herself stranded in Israel. The actress had travelled to Israel to attend the Haifa International Film Festival, where she was spotted posing with fans for photos. The film festival which began on September 28, came to a close on October 7.
Nushrratt, who was most recently seen in 'Akelli', joined her costar Tsahi Halevi at the film festival.
According to reports, Nushrratt's team has expressed concern about her safety in light of current events. A member of the actress' team said in a statement to India Today that the actress is stranded in Israel after attending the Haifa International Film Festival. The star is reportedly in a safe location, in a basement. Other details were not disclosed for safety reasons. "We are making every effort to ensure Nushrratt's safe return to India, and we hope she comes back in good health and unharmed," said her team in a statement.
The situation in Israel has grown increasingly volatile, with a full-fledged war breaking out between Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Countries around the world have condemned a wave of Palestinian attacks by land, sea and air that Israel's army says left more than 200 dead.
They accused fighters from the Palestinian militant group Hamas of breaking into homes and "massacring civilians".
"We are at war," Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, vowing severe retaliation after the surprise assault.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his country stood "in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour".
"Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel," Modi said.
Hamas military commander Muhammad Al-Deif called the operation "Al-Aqsa Storm" and said that the assault on Israel was a response to attacks on women, the desecration of the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem and the ongoing siege of Gaza, CNN reported.
Some graphic videos showed bodies strewn in the streets of the southern city of Sderot after the attack by Palestinian militants. Cars were riddled with bullets and lit on fire, according to The Washington Post.
In a major development, the Israeli Mayor, and head of the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, Ofir Liebstein, was also killed in the deadly rocket fire
In response to the deadly attacks, the Israel Defense Forces also declared a 'readiness for war'.