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Arizona Church Group Evacuated From Israel After Weekend U.S.–Israeli Strikes on Iran

U.S. consular staff moved the Surprise, Arizona pilgrims to a safe location following air-raid alerts in northern Israel.

Overview

  • Pastors Patrick Marks and Steven Long said their tour in Tiberias was interrupted by repeated sirens and Iron Dome interceptions that shook buildings.
  • The U.S. State Department relocated the travelers to an undisclosed site, and the pastors reported the group is safe and expected to return to the United States within days.
  • Local reports varied on the group’s size, listing 22, 24, or 26 Arizonans as details shifted during the evacuation.
  • The disruption followed joint U.S.–Israeli strikes that hit multiple Iranian military targets over the weekend, with President Trump saying the campaign could run four to five weeks.
  • A separate Christ Community Church group from California is sheltering in place as departure plans remain uncertain, highlighting wider travel and safety challenges for visitors.