“CBS Mornings”' Tony Dokoupil Says His Children in Israel Are Safe amid Hamas Attacks: 'Roller Coaster Weekend'

The co-anchor shared his feelings about Hamas militants' deadly attacks in Israel, where two of his children live

Deadly attacks on Israel by Hamas militants in Gaza have touched CBS News' Tony Dokoupil personally.

On Monday, the CBS Mornings co-anchor shared that his two children from his previous marriage currently live in Israel and are okay.

“It’s been a very long weekend and it’s been a very tough situation,” Dokoupil told fellow CBS Mornings co-anchors Gayle King and Nate Burleson. “First of all, I want to say thank you to our colleagues, friends who reached out to us and asked how I’m doing, how’s my family’s doing … It’s tough.”

“I have an 11-year-old [daughter] and 14-year-old [son] who live in Israel," he said. "They live there with their mother — my ex-wife. They are safe.”

Related: Israeli Defense Minister Calls for ‘Complete Siege’ of Gaza Strip Two Days After Hamas' Surprise Attack

In addition to his two children in Israel, Dokoupil has kids Eloise and Theodore with his current wife, journalist Katy Tur.

Dokoupil said he was in contact with his children in Israel as the first sirens went off.

“As a father, I think people who could understand if somebody, anybody is firing rockets in the direction of your children without regard whether they are struck or not, you’re gonna feel a thing or two,” he said. “So it’s been a roller coaster weekend.”

Related: Joe Biden Offers Support to Israel as Prime Minister Says 'We Are at War' After Hamas Attack

He later added: “I’ve been sad and angry and disgusted to see the news that unfolded in the 48 hours since. We’re talking about the direct, close-range murder of more than 700 civilians in their cars and their homes, at a festival. And then the kidnappings and then the hostage-taking, and then the evidence of rape. I think there’s enough moral clarity in the world to say this is wrong, it’s terrorism. And if it’s being done in your name, speak up. Speak up."

“I’m also heartbroken for the innocent people in Gaza and their children and what will happen to them in the days ahead,” Dokoupil continued.

Related: Bruno Mars Concert in Israel Canceled As Prime Minister Announces Country Is 'At War'

As the Associated Press reported, citing Israeli media outlets, the recent Hamas attacks have claimed the lives of about 700 people in Israel. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that nearly 500 people died in Gaza — along with thousands wounded on both sides of the conflict.

The New York Times reported that about 150 Israeli hostages are being held by militants, adding that Israel called for a "complete siege" of the Gaza Strip Monday.

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On the broadcast, Dokoupil expressed frustration that there has not been a peaceful resolution in the region.

“Gayle, you asked, ‘How did it come to this?’” he said. “I’m disappointed that 75 years after the United Nations and the world said 'Jews [and] Arabs, live in peace, divide up the land, two countries,' that two people have been unable to do so. And so three generations now have been living through war and terror and trauma and now, it’s my kids. It’s other people’s kids. What’s the solution here? What now?”

In the segment, King told Dokoupil that she initially wondered whether he would come to the CBS Mornings studio Monday morning given his family situation, to which Dokoupil responded, “I had to be here at work today, but I also want to be clear with our viewers that I come into this fairly as a journalist. But I’m also a father. You can’t separate those two at a certain point."

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