Bruno Mars, set to make history with back-to-back concerts at Tel Aviv’s HaYarkon Park, abruptly canceled his show on Saturday amid escalating tensions in Israel.
Mars was poised to become only the third American artist to perform two sold-out concerts at the 70,000-capacity venue, following the footsteps of Madonna in 2009 and Michael Jackson in 1993. His first concert last Wednesday, lasting nearly four hours with two local Tel Aviv acts opening, was met with immense anticipation.
However, as reports of a coordinated Hamas-led terrorist attack emerged early Saturday, the situation escalated rapidly. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the nation to be “at war” with Hamas later that day. Consequently, Live Nation Israel, the concert’s promoter, announced the cancellation in the afternoon.
By 2 p.m., Bruno Mars and his 60-person crew were at Ben Gurion Airport, en route to Athens. Tickets for the canceled show were refunded to the credit cards used for the purchase. According to Billboard, the gear for his band was left behind.
American military aid is headed to Israel after Hamas aimed at southern Israel. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the attack ahead of the send.
Over 600 people have been killed in the attacks, with another 100 kidnapped. In retaliation, 313 people were killed in Gaza via air strikes.
According to BBC, the U.S. will also attempt to block the nation’s enemies from attacking Israel in the current struggle. The fleet sent by America includes US Navy ships, fighter jets, and an aircraft carrier, stationed in the eastern Mediterranean.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinkin stated the nation is currently looking to verify reports of American citizens dead in the attacks.
Blinkin told ABC, “this is a massive terrorist attack that is gunning down Israeli civilians in their towns, in their homes, and as we’ve seen so graphically, literally dragging people across the border with Gaza.
“So, you can imagine the impact this is having throughout Israel. And the world should be revolted at what it has seen.”
Hamas acted with Iran to attack Israel, receiving public support from Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi, who stated Israel should be held accountable for endangering the region.
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