EXCLUSIVE: New Yorker who went to help fight in Israel after Hamas attack was there a week ago to celebrate nephews birth and says people now fear to leave their homes and gunfire and explosions erupting outside is the new normal

A New Yorker who traveled to Israel after seeing harrowing images surface following the brutal attack launched by Hamas on Saturday said the country has dramatically changed since he last visited only a week ago.

Noy Leyb, 32, had been visiting his family, who live in the mixed Jewish and Arab city of Acre (Akko), when his nephew was born and said that it was a 'celebration of life.'

The 32-year-old returned on Sunday to help fight with the Israel Defense Force, who he's served with in some capacity since the age of 18, and said the horrors of war are palpable in the city.

'We celebrated life and now I'm returning as people are dying,' he revealed to DailyMail.com exclusively from his barracks in central Israel.

'We were going out and we were celebrating there was no reason for anyone to be scared you didn't have to worry about traveling north or south. 

'Now, things have completely changed. After my ten-hour flight, I found out a friend was in hospital, another who had been shot, someone else from my team had a friend killed. 

'It used to be a normal happy life in Israel and now people assume there will be terrorists so they don't come outside, they lock their doors, its unheard of.'

A New Yorker who traveled to Israel after seeing harrowing images surface following the brutal attack launched by Hamas on Saturday said the country has dramatically changed since he last visited only a week ago

Noy Leyb, 32, had been visiting his family who live in the mixed Jewish and Arab city of Acre (Akko) when his nephew was born and said that it was a 'celebration of life'

Leyb said since being back in Israel gunfire and explosions erupting outside have become the new normal and people hear the conflict before it floods the news channels and social media.

'I landed on Sunday evening around 5pm and first went north to get my gear, to see my parents and grandpa, give them a kiss goodbye and then made my way to base in central Israel,' he said.

'We celebrated life and now I'm returning as people are dying,' said Leyb of the atrocities taking place in the Middle East

'People are physically and mentally getting ready for a very long war, there were army vehicles lining the streets and the whole area my parents live is full of police in case things get worse.

'I think I'm being strong for my family, I have two brothers who were also called up and are both serving, as the eldest its my duty to be strong.'

A Canadian born Leyb moved to Israel when he was 18 and volunteered to serve three years with the IDF. 

He stayed in Israel and worked with the reserves until the age of 30 before moving to Michigan and then later New York in November last year.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video shared at the weekend that Israel is 'at war' and called for a massive military response to the Hamas attacks. 

These sentiments were reiterated by Leyb, who added that making the decision to go to Israel for the most recent conflict wasn't an easy one, but was his duty.

Leyb (left) poses with his two brothers(center), who are also serving, his mother and father (right)

Leybe hugged his mother before leaving. She begged him not to return but was happy to see him even for a short time. He also sent DailyMail.com a picture of his weapon on Monday

Leyb said since being back in Israel gunfire and explosions erupting outside have become the new normal and people hear the conflict before it floods the news channels and social media

'Hard stories are being shared from people I know and my brothers,' he said.

'I'll be here as long as it takes, a week, a month, no one is going home until this is resolved and do my part.'

Following the plane journey to Israel Leyb posted a video showing himself listening to the airline staff sending their support.

'We wish to strengthen the residents of the south, the soldiers of the IDF and the security forces at this difficult time and wish for better days for the State of Israel,' the announcement said.

Leyb explained that the announcement set the mood for the duration of the trip.

'So that was how the flight started which set the mood for the entire duration and was by far the most emotional plane ride I've been on,' he said.

He remembers the moment he heard about the 260 people killed at a festival massacre and piled on top of each other laying bare the gravity of the Hamas attack.

'I'm having dinner with my parents and you hear 260 bodies cleared from the outdoor party that happened and you're like 260 bodies, can you even get a grip on that number? Like, how do you kill 260 people just like that?' he said. 

'The wild thing here is that it's either one or two degrees of separation, so usually you know who it is [that is being killed] unfortunately.'

The 32-year-old returned on Sunday to help fight with the Israel Defense Force, who he's served with on some capacity since the age of 18, and said the horrors of war are palpable in the city

Following the plane journey to Israel Leyb posted a video showing himself listening to the airline staff sending their support

While speaking with DailyMail.com Leyb revealed telling his family about his return was bittersweet. 

'They were happy to see me and my dad understood because he served, but my mom begged me not to come back,' he said.

'I think it would be hard for any mother, no one wants to go to war, people have kids they have families.

'But every minute, you feel more and more ready we don't have time to really think about our mental wellbeing that will come later.'

Sirens blared in Jerusalem as explosions were heard in the holy city on Monday as Israel ordered a 'complete siege' on Gaza in retaliation to the unprecedented attack seen by Hamas at the weekend.

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant officially announced the blockade of the besieged enclave, saying authorities will cut electricity and prevent the entry of food and fuel.

'No electricity, no food, no fuel. We are fighting animals, and we will act accordingly,' he said.

Hamas launched salvos toward Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, as rockets continued to rain down in the southern Israeli town Ashkelon.

About 9 Americans have died from the atrocities while the death toll soars to almost 1,300 since the fighting erupted.

A Hamas fighter poses with an elderly female hostage, who may have diminished mental capacity, after forcing her to hold a rifle

Sitting on the back of a terrorist's motorcycle, student Noa Argamani (left) pleads for her life as she is abducted and her boyfriend (right) is led away by the gang of militants 

Palestinians transport a captured Israeli civilian, center, from Kibbutz Kfar Azza into the Gaza Strip on Saturday. The militants have abducted dozens, if not hundreds, of hostages

'At this time, we can confirm the deaths of nine U.S. citizens,' State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

'We can confirm that there are unaccounted-for U.S. citizens, and we are working with our Israeli partners to determine their whereabouts,' he added.

The Americans killed in the conflict that began over the weekend have yet to be identified by officials in the United States.

U.S. airlines have suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv amid the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine.

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have also issued travel waivers allowing passengers scheduled to fly to and from Israel to rebook. United's waiver also covers flights to and from Amman, Jordan.

'We continue to monitor the situation with safety and security top of mind and will adjust our operation as needed,' American said in a statement.

Delta said it is working with the U.S. government to repatriate American citizens from Israel.