Flags in Pa., NJ, Del. lowered to half-staff to mourn those lost in attacks on Israel

Starting Tuesday, flags throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey were lowered to half-staff in recognition and mourning of the lives lost in recent attacks in 'Israel and the Mideast Region.' Come Wednesday, flags in Delaware also flew at half-staff.

On Tuesday morning, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered United States and Commonwealth flags on all state facilities, public buildings and grounds to immediately fly at half-staff through Friday "in recognition of the lives lost in Israel after the acts of war by the terrorist organization Hamas."

“I condemn the horrific acts of war in Israel by Hamas and their enablers. These attacks on innocent Israeli civilians are abhorrent and warrant world condemnation and outrage,” Shapiro said in a statement. “Our family has shared many special moments in Israel and our hearts break for those living this horror now. We stand in solidarity against terror and are praying for all people in Israel.”

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy acted similarly Tuesday and signed an executive order that will see flags throughout the state lowered to half-staff through Friday.

“We will continue to stand with the people of Israel in this dark hour,” Murphy said. “New Jersey is home to one of the largest Jewish and Israeli American communities in the world and we are proud of our historic and unbreakable relationship with the State of Israel," Murphy said in a statement on the order. "We mourn for the victims and their families, unequivocally condemn all acts of terrorism against innocent civilians, and pray for peace and security for all of the people of the region.”

Murphy's office noted that, over the weekend, Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel and undertook a coordinated series of horrific attacks coinciding with Shabbat and the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah.

The governor took to social media to express his disgust on the recent violence.

Murphy's office noted that these terrorist attacks "killed at least 800 innocent Israeli citizens, at least nine United States citizens, and injured thousands more, and caused the escalation of a conflict resulting in the loss of life of hundreds of Palestinians."

On Wednesday, Delaware Gov. John Carney joined his fellow area governors and ordered Delaware flags lowered to half-staff until Friday.

“Delawareans stand with our friends in Israel and we strongly condemn these violent terrorist attacks that are targeting innocent people,” Carney said. “We stand in solidarity with our Jewish neighbors. Terrorism is never justified and Tracey and I pray for all the lives lost, the people of Israel, and their families and friends in Delaware and around the world.”