Exclusive | Israelis who fled their homes after Oct. 7 seek refuge in NYC: Different kind of danger

They’re strangers in a strange land – Israelis who fled their homes in the wake of the Oct.7 massacre and ensuing war against Hamas and Hezbollah.

For some, their homes have been under siege from a nonstop barrage of rockets, while others still bear the deep scars of conflict and seek a sense of peace.While some 60,000 Israelis from the north of the Jewish homeland are still displaced, most in temporary housing or hotels throughout the country, others have started a new life a world away, not knowing if or when they’ll return home.Teen feels guilt for missing military serviceKorin Katanov was supposed to be enjoying her final year of high school in her lifelong home of Sderot, about a mile from the Gaza border in southern Israel.The 17-year-old would have been prepping for her upcoming military service – compulsory for all Israelis turning 18 and something she dreamed about her entire life.Instead, she’s been living with extended relatives in Roslyn, LI.“I feel really guilty that I’m here,” she told The Post.

“I’m at the age that I’m supposed to go to the army and protect my country and I’m here.“My whole life, the army protected me.And now it’s my turn,” she lamented.

“I’m not there.”Her border town of 30,000 is among the most battered places in the country.Weary residents have lived under relentless rocket fire since Israel’s 2005 withdrawal from Gaza.“You just can’t have a normal childhood,” said the soft-spoken teen, noting that air raid sirens give residents about seven seconds to get to safety.

“My first memory of my childhood is running to the shelter.Every few meters there’s bomb shelters.”Still, it’s the heart of the city that makes it home.“The people are amazing – we look out for each other,” she said.

“As a girl, I would never be afraid to go outside alone.”But on Oct.7, terrorists overran the local police station and killed 35 officers and civilians inside, leaving the building in ruin...