LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Two more hostages have been released by Hamas as conflict continues in Gaza.
Back in the US, Arkansans are still feeling some of the impacts of war.
The conflict can be overwhelming for some to even talk about— but for Arkansans with family near the violence, fearing for their loved ones has become a part of their daily life.
That includes Nader Abou-Diab, who serves on several committees at the Islamic Center of Little Rock. He was born in Jerusalem and his parents still live there.
"What can you say? Everybody's stressed, everybody has a high level of anxiety. Not knowing what the days to come are gonna bring. How many people are gonna die?," Abou-Diab said.
He described feelings of helplessness from being so far away and is worried about violence escalating as security tightens in Jerusalem.
"My parents are 83 years old, I do not know how they're going to be able to go and get supplies, how they're going to go and get food if those roads are blocked," Abou-Diab explained.
While there has been conflict in the area over the course of decades, since Hamas' most recent attack and Israel's airstrikes in return, he's watched parts of his homeland turn to rubble.
"You feel like a part of you is dying," Abou-Diab described.
Since the violence began, he's still unable to reach loved ones in Gaza.
"A friend of mine who has family in Gaza and he says I cannot communicate with them to find out where they are. My dad's cousin lives in Gaza, and we don't know anything about her either," he added.
However, he explained that for some Palestinians simply fleeing their homes isn't a clear option.
"You're giving up on your heritage, you're giving up on your history, you're giving up on your beliefs. It's not that easy," Abou-Diab said.
Back here in Arkansas, he wants to educate his kids about what's going on.
"I have kids. They see the tv and they asked a lot of questions. Why is one life more important than another?" Abou-Diab explained.
While others try to navigate how to even talk about the conflict
Meanwhile, he's been helping manage concerns for the local Islamic community.
"So there's a sense of fear of getting racially profiled, or religiously profiled. There's a lot of concern because after 9/11, there were incidents. We don't want that to happen," Abou-Diab said.
He hopes for more education and compassion on the topic.
"Without knowledge, we cannot build informed opinions or informed decisions," he added.
On Monday, Little Rock Police said that they are still maintaining extra patrols in and around synagogues and mosques in the city as a precaution.