SEATTLE, WA. – A University of Washington graduate is one of over a dozen Americans that have been killed in Israel after surprise attacks by Hamas.

King5 reports that 32-year-old Dr. Hayim Katsman, an Israeli-born American, was found dead in his apartment on Saturday, October 7th.

Katsman graduated from UW’s International Studies Ph.D. program in 2021, where he worked to analyze the interrelations of religion and politics between Israel and Palestine.

More Washingtonians are witnessing the violence between Israel and Hamas.

Pastor Grant Fishbook with Christ the King Church in Bellingham is leading a group of 57 people who are currently stuck in Jerusalem.

Their planned flight home for Wednesday, October 11th, was cancelled but they are working on alternative travel arrangements.

Fishbook says the group is safe and is praying for everyone affected by the war.