Stacey Solomon has opened up on the ‘heartbreak’ she is suffering as a result of the war between Israel and Hamas.
The 34 year old TV star, who described herself as a “proud Jewish woman”, said she ‘still could not comprehend’ what was happening in the region. The war began on Saturday 7 October when Hamas militants invaded Israel from the Gaza Strip in a surprise terror attack.
Israel launched a counter-offensive in response – carrying out airstrikes in the Gaza Strip and imposing a blockade on the territory. Israel said more than 1,300 people, including 222 soldiers, were killed during Hamas’ deadly raid.
Officials in Gaza said Israel’s retaliatory strikes had killed more than 1,500 people. The war is part of the decades-long Israeli–Palestinian conflict over land in the region.
Loose Women star Stacey, whose photographer father David Solomon is Jewish and is known for his work in the Strictly Orthodox community, has now taken to social media to share her heartbreak and fears following Saturday’s ‘hideous acts of terror’. She said she longed for a ‘better world for our children to grow into’.
Mum of five Stacey wrote on Instagram: "The last few days I've just had no idea how to come on here. I have spent time checking on those we know and sending love and strength to those in a situation that no innocent person should be in.
"Days pass, and still I can't comprehend what's happening. I know my thoughts and prayers won't actually do anything but they're there nonetheless.
"I keep thinking about the victims and their families of Saturday's terrorist attack. I also keep thinking about all of the innocent lives who will suffer because of these hideous acts of terror. It's nothing short of heartbreaking.”
Stacey shares three children with her husband Joe Swash – Rex, four, Rose, two, and Belle, seven months. The former X factor star is also mum to sons Zachary, 15, and Leighton, 11, from previous relationships.
In her social media post about the war, she added: “I want a better world for our children to grow into. At moments like these, the moments that bring out the worst kinds of people, I fear for them more than ever. There are no sides. Only the side of humanity.
"I am a proud Jewish woman. And I stand for humanity. Innocent people are dying. I have no other words. It's devastating."
Stacey has addressed the Israel Palestine conflict in the past after being subjected to "increasingly hostile" messages about the issue. Taking to social media in 2021, she wrote: “I understand that so many people are in pain and hurting from the horrendous situation between Israel and Palestine, myself included.
"Some of the messages in my inbox suggest that some may feel people of a religion are "responsible" but please believe me when I say that is not the case. First and foremost I can not express enough that I wholeheartedly stand against violence and the killing of innocent people no matter what their race, religion or differences.
"There is NO place in this world and NO justification for the pain and suffering innocent people are being subjected to.”
She added: "All I ever want to do on here is spread kindness and positivity. Not one part of me wants to create any kind of hostility towards another human being. I pray for peace and that the suffering of so many human beings ends."
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