NEW ALBANY, Ohio — The Israel-Hamas War can feel a world away from us, but two Israeli soldiers are helping some Ohio students understand the impact of the hostilities while putting a face to the men and women on the front lines.

Roi and Ohad are reservists with the Israel Defense Forces, which did not provide last names. The pair tackled questions from students at Columbus Jewish Day School this week during a visit to Ohio and thanked the  school -- which houses kindergarten to fifth grade -- for its support.

“We love you as Israelis, Jews around the world,” Ohad said. “And we hope that you feel the same to us, to our state, to our people in Israel.”

The men were called into active duty following the attack on Israel by Hamas on Oct. 7. They say they fought on the front lines of the war for months.

“It’s hard to describe the feeling,” Roi said. “Leaving your family behind knowing you’re going to defend them. So, you know you’re doing the right thing.”

They said tensions had been escalating in the region for some time before the war broke out, so it was a matter of time before a conflict began. But they never expected to be called upon to fight for their country so soon.

“Because there was a feeling that it’s good now, you know, back then on October 6,” Ohad said. “So the timing surprised us. But most of the Israelis knew that there will be something somewhere.”

He said it’s a complicated situation, losing loved ones to the horrors of war while understanding it’s their duty to serve their country.

“War is not fun, but sometimes you must defend your people,” Ohad said. “It’s to be or not to be, so you have no choice.”

The reservists visited Ohio through a program with the Jewish Agency for Israel.