The View’s Whoopi Goldberg was left panicked when a “security incident” interrupted live coverage from Israel.
Whoopi, 67, and the rest of the panel spoke with ABC News Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman, who was reporting from around Sderot after the Hamas attack.
As Matt, 45, explained that there had been “small arms fire” at his exact location for “the past hour and a half”, a man in uniform approached him and said: “The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) has issued an immediate warning that everyone must go. There is a security incident near us.’
Dressed in a black t-shirt and bulletproof vest, Matt stepped back as he continued to speak to the camera as Whoopi ordered: ‘Go do what you have to do, we’ve got you.’
“We’re fine, we’re going to the car that’s over there anyway,” he replied, before adding: “But can I explain what’s going on? They had this battle, and I just want to show you what’s going on here…
The View’s Whoopi Goldberg was concerned during Tuesday’s episode when the live broadcast in Israel was interrupted due to a ‘security incident’
Whoopi and the panel spoke with ABC News Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman
Matt, 45, was approached by a man in uniform who told him that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had issued an immediate alert
‘These armored jeeps are heading towards where we heard this continuous shooting and on the other side of that bridge, we saw a large number of soldiers heading in that direction, you see ambulances over there.’
As he continued to walk and talk, Whoopi told him to ‘get in the car, Matt. Yeah, get in the car,” as her co-host Sarah Haines added: “Be careful, Matt.”
Whoopi looked lost for words as the programming returned to the studio and said, “Well, that’s what happens when it’s live and you’re in the middle of it. Fingers crossed that he is safe and will stay safe.’
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 witnessing true evil and I just… my heart goes out to the people of Israel.” My heart prays for a peaceful resolution to this.’
When the show returned from its first commercial break, Whoopi and her co-hosts again spoke to Matt – who confirmed he was now safe.
“There is quite a significant troop movement here. We’re fine where we are right now, but you can hear booms in the distance. There was significant gunfire, there was a helicopter, a gunship in the air. Apparently they found something, but we’re safe now, Whoopi,” Matt explained.
“We’re just outside of Sderot and about a mile in that direction is the border with Gaza, a little to the left of where I am right now is this town of Kfar Az, which has been decimated. This whole area here, all the towns are completely evacuated of civilians. Most of the people there were killed.
“This whole area, all the towns have been completely evacuated of civilians.” Most of the people there were killed.
“The death toll is over 900. Now we understand that the Israeli army has cleared the area, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.” So they think the Hamas militants are still there.’
Matt admitted he felt ‘scared’ to be there and said there was ‘a huge amount of trauma, a huge amount of anger at the moment’, as Whoopi urged him to ‘stay safe’ again.
Whoopi urged Matt to ‘get in the car’ as he continued to speak to the cameras despite the ‘security incident’
Alisa (34) praised the “incredible journalists” reporting from the war zone
The Sister Act star kept it dark as her co-host Sarah Haynes shared her thoughts
Sunny Hostin told her co-hosts that “there are losers on both sides” of the ongoing fight
Joy, 81, appeared at a loss for words, uttering “oh my god” as Matt ran off
‘We are with you and we hope for the best for everyone,” the Sister Act star said, before taking the show to another commercial break.
Viewers tuning in at home were also quick to send their well wishes to Matt and share their thoughts online.
“Praying for Matt Gutman #theView,” one person tweeted, while another wrote: “Mate please be careful! #the view.’
A third commented: “Matt Gutman is brave. I wouldn’t be in the line of fire of #TheView.’
A fourth added: “This is scary af! Matt and crew better stay safe #TheView.’
The View host Whoopi Goldberg struggles to hide her panic as ABC news correspondent in Israel is interrupted by a sudden ‘security incident’ mid-broadcast
