SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A Richmond Hill couple is currently stranded in Israel as the ongoing war has shut down airports and canceled flights out of the country.

Brian and Yael Shuman traveled to Israel for vacation and to visit family on February 13th.

The couple had planned to return home on Thursday, but those plans changed when their airline notified them their flight would not be departing.

The Shumans say they feel fortunate to be staying with family and not incurring hotel costs like many other travelers who are also unable to leave.

Yael was born in the United States but has deep family roots in Israel — her grandfather grew up there, and much of her extended family still lives in the country.

They have not yet been rebooked and were told to stay by their phones while the airline determines when flights may resume.

They said they receive alerts when missiles are launched toward Israel, prompting everyone in the house to quickly move to safety.

“Initially, it was very scary for us,” Brian Shuman said. “We were up north. We had to drive down while missiles were going overhead, and we had to walk the road several times.”

Shuman said the couple traveled in part to spend time with family and see how loved ones were doing following previous fighting in the region.

“We came here in part because we’ve got family here and we know what they’ve been through,” he said. “We were curious how they were doing, not realizing that we’ve kind of become part of it.”

Many businesses and services in the area are currently closed because of the conflict, creating challenges for travelers stuck in the country who may need transportation or living accommodations.

Family and friends back in the Coastal Empire have been closely monitoring alerts from the U.S. Embassy and sharing any updates with the couple.

Right now, the Shumans say their only potential option to leave Israel would involve an eight-hour trip to the Egyptian border and then to Cairo for a chance to catch a flight home.

Despite the uncertainty, the couple said they are grateful for the support they have received from family, friends, and their community back in Richmond Hill as they wait for a safe way to return to the Coastal Empire.

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