NJ Senator Cory Booker was in Israel at the time of the Hamas attacks and sheltered in place

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., was in Israel when Hamas terrorists began their unprecedented surprise attack agains the country and sheltered in place, his office announced Sunday.

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., was in Israel when Hamas terrorists began their unprecedented surprise attack agains the country and sheltered in place, his office announced Sunday.

Booker, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was in Israel for a series of meetings ahead of an Abraham Accords summit. He and his staff remained in Israel throughout the weekend, but were able to depart safely on Sunday.

“On Friday, October 6, Senator Booker arrived in Israel for several days of planned meetings and site visits ahead of the start of an Abraham Accords-focused N7 summit on regional economic integration in Tel Aviv, at which he was scheduled to speak on Tuesday," Booker's office announced.

"Senator Booker and accompanying staff were in Jerusalem when Hamas launched their attacks against Israel on Saturday, and sheltered in place for their safety. We are grateful that Senator Booker and our colleagues were able to safely depart Israel earlier today," the statement continued.

Booker also released a statement condmening Hamas' attack, which has so far claimed the lives of at least 600 Israelis and injured at least 2,000 more. Israeli forces are currently engaged in hostage rescue operations, and military officials have said they plan to "kill every terrorist in Israel."

“I emphatically condemn Hamas' horrific acts of violence, kidnapping and terror targeting Israeli families, children and other civilians in towns and cities across the nation of Israel. I stand with the people of Israel and the families of those who have lost loved ones," Booker said in a statement.