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Actor Hugh Sheridan is among the many Australian residents who have been forced to take shelter after Gaza's militant Hamas rulers attacked Israel by air, land and sea.
The Aussie actor took to social media to share that he was seeking refuge on a stairwell during the "brutal" attack.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed this morning no Australians had been injured or killed in the unfolding situation, but noted that could change as the situation unfolds.
READ MORE: Death toll rises after Hamas launches surprise air and ground attack from Gaza
At least 300 people have died and thousands of others are wounded in Israel, according to officials after fighting carried through the day.
Sheridan, who is staying in Tel Aviv, said everyone had been living life completely as normal just hours before the first attack.
"Life (was) completely normal in Israel. It was a big Jewish holiday yesterday, one week after new year," he said via Instagram.
"I met a family who had 150 fly in for their wedding tomorrow. We were at a BBQ yesterday with young people who at this very minute are on their way to Gaza to fight.
"A few hours later, this country is at war. Their lives have completely changed in an instant."
Sheridan said it was "unbelievable how quickly" the attack unfolded.
"My heart breaks. I'm in the stairwell so safe for now," he said.
READ MORE: 'No hope for us': Israelis shaken after shocking Hamas attack
https://twitter.com/AlboMP/status/1710737658362876219
Albanese has described the surprise attack by the militant group as an "abhorrent attack on Israel".
"This is indiscriminate. Civilians being targeted, killed and murdered, and as well, many of them being taken as hostages," he told ABC's Insiders program.
"Of course, people are worried about escalation, but Israel has a right to defend itself and it will be doing so.
"This has been a very dark 24 hours."
Smart Traveller advises against any travel to Gaza, and for people to reconsider travel near the Israel border.
"There's ongoing armed conflict in Southern Israel and Gaza. Rockets have been fired at Israel from Gaza," the alert says.
"There have been separate terror attacks on civilians."
