Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone shared a message of gratitude on social media Thursday, along with some good news.
Anzalone notified his followers that his parents, who had been stuck in Israel amid growing violence, were finally on their way home.
“It’s been a scary, anxiety filled several days but my parents are headed home safely. So many people to thank but I know this, God is good,” he said.
Anzalone’s parents traveled to Israel earlier this month as part of a 53-person tour group put together by their church in Naples, Florida. When Hamas militants bombed and invaded Israel Saturday morning, the group began trying to find an earlier flight home.
“Thank you to everyone who has been reaching out. God is good. We are doing good at our hotel in Jerusalem,” the Rev. Alan Brumback, who was leading the tour group, shared on Facebook Saturday.
Flights were difficult to come by since a variety of major airlines shut down service in Tel Aviv over the weekend, as the Deseret News previously reported.
Since then, travel grew even more complicated as Delta, United and other international carriers suspended all flights to and from Israel.
“With a number of American citizens in Israel, the U.S. State Department has asked airlines to consider reestablishing air routes,” The New York Times reported Tuesday.
After the Lions beat the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Anzalone spoke with The Detroit News about what it was like to play a game while his parents remained in limbo.
“It’s hard,” he said. “(It’s) really all I’ve been thinking about.”
Anzalone’s parents and the rest of their church tour group were ultimately able to board a plane home to Florida from Israel early Thursday morning.
At around 8:00 a.m. MDT, the Rev. Brumback announced on Facebook that the group had touched down in Miami.
“God’s faithfulness is unchanging and His grace is amazing. Thank you to everyone who prayed for and reached out to us. We are so grateful to be back in the USA,” he wrote.
The Rev. Brumback added that people should “continue to pray for Israel,” which remains locked in conflict with Hamas.
Since fighting broke out Saturday, more than 2,700 people have died, according to The Associated Press.