Fijians visiting the Holy Land are reporting they are safe, following a surprise attack by Palestinian fundamentalist organisation Hamas overnight which resulted in about 200 deaths in Israel.

Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa who is on a pilgrimage in Israel tweeted  “We are safe, in good health and spirits here in Jerusalem.”

In the wake of the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a televised message on Saturday night said what happened has never happened before and Israel “will take mighty vengeance” for the attack.

International media are reporting that 200 are dead and more than 1400 in Israel and at least 230 are dead and more than 1600 are wounded in Palestine.