Lions’ Alex Anzalone Says His Parents Are Safely Returning From Trip to Israel

His parents were part of a church group on an overseas tour but were stuck in the country amid the conflict there.

Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone shared Thursday morning that both of his parents are returning home safely after a trip to Israel amid an ongoing conflict in the region. His parents were among 50 people affiliated with a Naples, Fla.–based church that went on the overseas tour. 

“Thank you to everyone who has been saying prayers for my family and their safety,” he wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “It’s been a scary, anxiety filled several days but my parents are headed home safely. So many people to thank but I know this, God is good.”

Anzalone’s parents are safely returning from a trip to Israel, he shared on social media Thursday :: Kirthmon F. Dozier/The Detroit Free Press/USA TODAY Network

Israel and Hamas, an Islamic militant group, have been engaged in a conflict ever since the group’s fighters broke through the Israeli border fence Saturday and stormed into the country’s south. The war between Israel and Hamas has claimed more than 2,000 lives, according to the Associated Press. 

When Anzalone initially shared that his parents were in Israel, the Florida alum said, “[It’s] really all I’ve been thinking about,” per The Detroit News. Despite the personal turmoil, he played in Sunday’s victory over the Panthers where he led the team with 11 tackles and tallied two quarterback hits.