An Isle of Wight woman has told the County Press how a "petrifying" pilgrimage left her and her friends fearing for their lives, in the aftermath of Hamas' attack on Israeli settlements.

Cecilia Herbing, from Binstead, was one of a group of six who visited Israel from the Island on October 5.

When they arrived, "everything was normal", she told the County Press. But what was supposed to be a trip for group members to focus on their health, soon turned into a "terrifying" ordeal.

Just a day after arriving, the group, who were staying in Tel Aviv, found themselves caught up in the backlash which followed violence by Hamas at a music festival and in Kibbutz settlements.

Isle of Wight County Press: Paul and Cecilia all smiles back at home.Paul and Cecilia all smiles back at home. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

While on a trip to Jerusalem, they were forced to turn back to their hotel because of fears of an air missile attack.

Panic set in after the group, whose oldest member was 73, checked their flights, only to find they had been cancelled.

Cecilia said by October 9, all flights to the UK had been stopped and the group were stuck in their hotel. 

She said the situation was becoming "alarming" and with members desperately booking any flights they could, they were having to ask family members to transfer money.

Back home, and trying anything they could to help, husband Paul and friend Ronni Petrossini contacted Island MP Bob Seely.

"Bob asked for details of each and everyone of us", Cecilia said.

"Then he started liaising with me over the phone saying 'where are you now? We're try to organise a chartered flight. The UK Government will help you. Hang in there'."

On the morning of October 11, Cecilia was told to head to Ben Gurion Airport to prepare for departure. But hopes of escaping the country were dashed when their flight was cancelled and they were forced to sleep on the airport floor.

The following day they were given the chance to catch a flight to Vienna — an offer they jumped at.

"When we were on the plane we were shaking, saying 'oh my gosh we're alive and we're out of this'," Cecilia said.

Upon arrival, the group breathed a sigh of relief when they saw consulate officers who managed to get them on a British Airways flight to London the same day. They eventually got to Portsmouth and then to the Island.

Isle of Wight County Press: Members of the group meet MP Bob Seely after returning home.Members of the group meet MP Bob Seely after returning home. (Image: Cecilia Herbing)

Isle of Wight County Press: From left: Paul, Cecilia and Bob Seely.From left: Paul, Cecilia and Bob Seely. (Image: Cecilia Herbing)

Cecilia said the ordeal left her fearing the worst: "I told the group if we're going to die we have to be prepared. I told them 'are you ready?' If we're going to die, we're going to die where ever we are."

She said she is "extremely grateful" to MP Bob Seely for assisting with efforts to get the group home.

"The whole time Bob was liaising and when we arrived on the Island he said 'let me know when you arrive'.

"On the Sunday, he came to the church and met us and we gave him some chocolates."

Paul said what got him was that Mr Seely was "still interested even afterwards."

Cecilia said the MP has even offered to help them claim back refunds from airlines.