Ex-Happy Mondays manager, 54, describes his ‘miracle’ escape from Hamas rocket attacks that hit as he slept at home in Tel Aviv

A British father has described his ‘miracle’ escape from Hamas rocket attacks as he slept in his home in Tel Aviv.

Former Happy Mondays tour manager Anthony Murray said he was ‘lucky to be alive’ as he was woken up today by the warning of sirens blaring across the city.

Thousands of rockets rained down on the cities of Tel Avis, Jerusalem and Sderot this morning, killing more than 40 people as Hamas terrorists attacked. In response, Israeli military forces launched operation ‘Iron Swords’.

Murray, originally from Manchester, described his ‘absolute terror’ as the bombing unfolded. He said: ‘I thought I was going to die. It just kicked everything off.’

He added: ‘As soon as the sirens and bombs went off, I fled to a safe room in the house where I live with my girlfriend. Most houses in here have a safe room, it’s a bunker under the ground.

“We were in there for a few hours just hoping and praying that we would stay alive.”

Residents living near Israel’s border with Gaza were ordered to stay indoors and others were evacuated after Hamas militants entered the country by land, sea and air and launched a medley of missile attacks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that the militants would pay an ‘unprecedented price’ after their attacks killed at least 40 Israelis; Palestinian officials have since claimed 161 people have been killed in retaliatory attacks by Israel.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a televised address that Hamas had made a “serious mistake … and launched a war against the state of Israel” – promising that “Israel will win ‘.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was ‘shocked’ by the attacks, writing on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Israel has an absolute right to defend itself. We are in contact with Israeli authorities, and British citizens in Israel should follow travel advice.

Murray said the terrorists were ‘just a few streets away’ from his home. He said: ‘When we came out of the bunker, we just decided to flee and get out of there. Considering how close it was, it’s a miracle I’m still alive.

‘Rockets were also fired by the Israeli army right above where I was staying. Everyone is in absolute shock. It’s terrible.’

The 54-year-old said he was trying to travel to Nazareth in northern Israel – but had heard that could also be blocked to visitors.

He added: ‘We are told it is cordoned off by the army. The whole place is just chaos. People are very angry.

“I saw Israeli military vehicles. You just know they will fight back and not take it.

“It’s all madness.”

He said: ‘I just had to get out there as soon as possible. Thank God we did it, Tel Aviv is now in total lockdown.’

Murray – once a major player on the Madchester scene in the 1990s and early 2000s – was on sight in Bethlehem on Friday, just 24 hours before the attacks began.

He said the area was peaceful.

Murray is currently living in Israel while awaiting trial in Turkey over his alleged role in an £80m cocaine ring.

He said: ‘I’m in the country trying to get some peace and quiet away from Turkey where I’m on trial next year.

‘I came to Israel to relax and all hell broke loose. It was scary this morning. I could hear the sirens and then all the explosions.’

He added: ‘Israel is one of the only places I’m allowed to go. I can’t go back to Turkey until the trial next year and I can’t go back to Britain.

‘I have absolutely no idea what we’re going to do now. I’m completely stuck, but at least I’m alive.’

Murray – who is still talking to Shaun Ryder and Bez – was one of 15 suspects detained when sniffer dogs found drugs in fertilizer on a ship from Colombia.

The Turkish authorities believe he was a mastermind behind the shipment – but he denies it.

He had been in Tel Aviv for several months but tried to travel to Turkey late last month but was refused entry.

He was there for a pre-trial appearance.