LOS ANGELES — Thousands of miles from the war being waged between Israel and Hamas, Angelenos watch. For people with close family and friends in the region, the past few weeks have been extraordinarily painful.

According to Israeli officials, more than 220 people, taken from Israel, are hostages in Gaza, and 1,400 Israelis have been killed — most by the Oct. 7 surprise attack by Hamas.

In Gaza, retaliatory air strikes are decimating buildings. According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, more than 7,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the air strikes began. The Health Ministry says half of those killed have been children.