Worlds away, many in New York state and across the nation are watching in disbelief. On Wednesday, Palestinians in the sealed-off Gaza Strip struggled to find any safe area as Israeli strikes demolished entire neighborhoods, hospitals ran low on supplies and the territory’s only power plant ran out of fuel, deepening the misery of a war sparked by a stunning and deadly assault by Hamas militants.

Airstrikes smashed entire city blocks to rubble in the tiny coastal enclave and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath mounds of debris. The bombardment raged on even though militants are holding an estimated 150 people snatched from Israel — soldiers, men, women, children and older adults.

It is heartbreaking to watch — and horrifying to see.

This week, state Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that flags on state buildings will be flown at half-staff indefinitely in remembrance of the lives lost as a result of the recent terrorist attacks against the State of Israel. “New York stands in solidarity with Israel and the Jewish community,” she said.

Hochul has also spoken with a broad range of Jewish community leaders and elected officials to offer support during this critical time and is working with the U.S. Department of State to ensure New Yorkers currently traveling in Israel can return home safely.

At least 2,200 have died in the war. That number will unfortunately continue to rise.

One journalist noted “there is no safe place in Gaza now.” That does not bode well for more than 250,000 who have already fled their homes.

“I am proud to serve as governor of the state that is home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel and I am committed to doing everything in my power to make sure that this community is supported and protected today and every day,” Hochul said.