A church group from Alabama safely made it back to the United States on Tuesday after getting stuck in Israel, where war broke out after Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack.

Eleven members of Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills were in Israel for a mission trip when the fighting began.

“The missions team from Shades Mountain who had been in Israel when the war broke out, returned home safely,” senior pastor George Wright said in a press release Wednesday. “We give thanks to God for His care and protection during this time and are grateful for the many people who prayed for their safe return.”

At least 1,900 people have been killed in Israel and the Gaza Strip since early Saturday, making it the deadliest attack in Israel in decades. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war, and the Israeli military ordered a complete siege of the Gaza Strip and the 2.3 million Palestinians living there.

The siege, condemned by the United Nations Secretary-General, has halted any food, water, electricity or supplies amid continued airstrikes. Disputes over who has rights to the land have long preceded this latest conflict between Israel and Palestine.

“Even as we celebrate the return of our team, our hearts are heavy from the acts of evil we have seen in recent days,” he said. “We ask that you join us in praying for the protection and safety of people of Israel.”