MUNCIE, Ind. — Muncie has become Eyal Rawitz's home away from home after moving from Israel last year to play on Ball State's men's volleyball team. When Hamas first attacked Israel, Rawitz heard about it on social media.
"It's the worst feeling in the world," he said.
While in Israel, Rawitz served in the army as a non-combat officer. He was a military teacher and would prepare students for combat. Also, many of his former teammates on the Israel Volleyball Team are fighting right now with some of his students.
"I hope we prepared them physically and mentally, I hope they survive this and I don't want to go to any of their funerals," he said.
One of his former teammates was killed in one of the first attacks Saturday.
"He was always first on the court and first on the battlefield," he said. "He was a great guy, great athlete, hardworking and determined."
While watching the updates from the war, Rawitz has gone to social media to express his concerns. He has said Hamas is not following the peaceful teachings many Muslims and people from Palestine follow.
"They do not represent nearly a large population of Muslim people," he said. "Islam is a beautiful religion and they just took it to a place it shouldn't have been taken to."
Rawitz continues to get updates from his family about their safety so far and has gained support from his teammates here and other students at Ball State.