By Kirsty McCormack for Dailymail.Com 5:18 p.m. Oct 10, 2023, updated 6:40 p.m. Oct 10, 2023
- The View panel spoke with ABC News correspondent Matt Gutman in Sderot
- Matt, 45, was cut off mid-transmission due to an “immediate alert” in the area
- Whoopi, 67, admitted they were keeping their fingers crossed for Matt to “stay safe.”
The View’s Whoopi Goldberg panicked when a “security incident” interrupted a live broadcast from Israel during Tuesday’s broadcast.
Whoopi, 67, and the rest of the panel spoke with ABC News chief correspondent Matt Gutman, who reported from just outside Sderot, one of the first settlements targeted by the Hamas gunman who moved through the city shortly after sunrise last Saturday.
When 45-year-old Matt explained that there had been “small arms fire” at his exact location for the past hour and a half, a man in uniform came up to him and told him, “The IDF.” [Israel Defense Forces] issued an immediate warning that everyone must leave. “There is a security incident near us.”
Wearing a black t-shirt and a bulletproof vest, Matt began walking backwards while continuing to speak to the camera while Whoopi ordered, “Do what you gotta do, we’ve got you.”
“We’re fine, we’re going to the car that’s right over there anyway,” he replied, adding, “But can I explain what’s going on?” They had this fight and I just want to show you what’s going on here it’s going…
The View’s Whoopi Goldberg expressed concern during Tuesday’s episode when a live broadcast in Israel was interrupted due to a “security incident.” Whoopi and the panel spoke with ABC News chief correspondent Matt Gutman. Matt, 45, was approached by a man. A police officer told him that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had immediately raised the alarm. The Sister Act star told Matt to “get in the car” as he made his way to the vehicle
“These armored jeeps are going to where we heard continuous gunfire and on the other side of the bridge we saw a large number of troops heading in that direction. You can see the ambulances over there.”
As he continued walking and talking, Whoopi told him, “Get in a car, Matt!” Get in the car,” her co-host Sara Haines added, “Be careful, Matt.”
Whoopi seemed speechless as the programming went back to the studio, saying, “Well, that’s what happens when it’s live and you’re in the middle of the action.” We’re keeping our fingers crossed that he’s safe and that he’s safe will stay.”
Joy Behar, 81, added: “Oh my God.”
Alyssa Farah Griffin, 34, praised the “incredible journalists” reporting from the war zone and told her co-hosts: “We are witnesses to true evil and I… my heart goes out to the people of Israel.” “My heart is praying for a peaceful solution to this problem.”
When the show returned from the first commercial break, Whoopi and her co-hosts spoke to Matt again – who confirmed that he was now safe.
“There’s a pretty significant troop movement here.” We’re fine where we are, but you can hear bangs in the distance. There was heavy gunfire, a helicopter and an attack helicopter were in the air. “Apparently they found something, but we’re safe for now, Whoopi,” Matt explained.
“We’re just outside of Sderot and about a mile in that direction is the border with Gaza, just a little bit to the left of where I am now is the town of Kfar Aza, which has been decimated.” This whole area here, all the towns have been completely destroyed Civilians were evacuated, many of the people there were killed.
Whoopi urged Matt to “get in the car” as he continued speaking on camera despite the “security incident.” Whoopi said they were “hoping for the best for everyone” and she wished Matt well. Matt reported from Sderot, which he described as a “ghost town” due to recent attacks On October 7, smoke rises near the border fence between Gaza and Israel. Palestinians storm through a cap after tearing down the fence on the Israel-Gaza border and enter Israel following clashes and attacks in Gaza City, Gaza on October 7
“The death toll is over 900. Now we understand that the Israeli military has cleared this area, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. “So they believe that Hamas fighters are still there.”
When footage was played during Monday’s coverage of Matt experiencing another “close call,” Sara asked him: “This is all incredibly dangerous. How do you feel at a moment like this?”
Matt replied, “I feel for the people who live here.” You get a sense of what it’s like to live under these explosions and these cities are completely empty. So yeah, I was scared, but I also felt like, “These people lived like this.”
“It’s incredibly difficult and disturbing, these areas are ghost towns, you don’t see anyone moving anymore.” And that’s the situation in large parts of Israel at the moment. There is a tremendous amount of trauma and a tremendous amount of anger at this point. Also on the Palestinian side. But this is precisely what is so worrying that there seems to be no end in sight.”
Whoopi again urged him to “play it safe” and said, “We are with you and hope for the best for everyone,” before the show took another commercial break.
Viewers watching at home were also quick to send their congratulations to Matt and share their thoughts online.
“Prayers for Matt Gutman #theView,” one person wrote on Twitter, while another wrote: “Matt please be careful! #theView.”
Alyssa Farah Griffin praised the “incredible journalists” reporting from the war zone. The Sister Act star remained somber as her co-host Sara Haines shared her thoughts. Sunny Hostin told her co-hosts that “there are losers on both sides.” The ongoing fight appeared to leave Joy Behar speechless, saying “Oh my God” as Matt fled from his location
A third viewer said: “This is scary! Matt and crew better stay safe #TheView,” and a fourth claimed: “Matt needs to go back home at this point. “It’s going to get worse.”
Someone else added: “Please get out of there, come home,” while another begged: “Get off the camera and get to safety!”
Later in the show, the panel discussed the impact such events can have on people’s mental health, as Alyssa admitted: “Just watching terrible atrocities happen, I think is damaging to every one of us .”
“I had nightmares about it and we can’t turn a blind eye to bad things that happen. But we have to look after our insides,” the 34-year-old added.
When Joy mentioned the fact that she’s “lived long enough to see other bad times,” Whoopi was eager to express her thoughts, claiming, “Every 25 years things get crazy and we get through it.”
She continued: “We’re fighting through it, we’re continuing to do what we have to do to come together because it’s been bad for so many for so long.” “So it only gets better when we look after ourselves and then we look at each other watch out.”
The devastating attacks began after Hamas terrorists stormed Israel last Saturday, sparking gun battles in the streets for the first time in decades.
At least 1,600 deaths have already been claimed on both sides, perhaps hundreds more. Israel said on Tuesday that the death toll had risen to over 1,000, although separate reports suggested the total could be much higher.
According to the authorities there, 704 people were killed in Gaza and the West Bank; Israel says there are hundreds of Hamas fighters among them. Thousands were injured on both sides.
The bodies of around 1,500 Hamas fighters were found on Israeli territory, the military said. It was not immediately clear whether those numbers overlapped with deaths previously reported by Palestinian authorities.