By the middle of this week, however, she mounted a social media comeback via Insta Stories – and made sure to focus on lighter topics.

The 31-year-old uploaded a couple pictures of herself apparently filming her warmhearted cookery series Selena + Chef.

Back at it: Selena Gomez returned to Instagram this Wednesday, one week after explaining her social media break amid the latest grisly flare-up of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Keeping it light: The 31-year-old uploaded a couple pictures of herself apparently filming her warmhearted cookery series Selena + Chef

Off to the basketball game: After launching her big Instagram return with pictures taken in California , Selena was spotted Wednesday night across the country in New York City

On the go: She wrapped herself in a long coat, wore a mask and lowered her head as she headed into Madison Square Garden to see the New York Knicks play the San Antonio Spurs

Her restaurant of choice during her latest shoot day was Moo’s Craft Barbeque, a Texas-inspired eatery in downtown Los Angeles.

After launching her big Instagram return with pictures taken in California, Selena was spotted Wednesday night across the country in New York City.

She wrapped herself in a long coat, wore a mask and lowered her head in an apparent attempt to keep a low profile as she headed into Madison Square Garden to watch the New York Knicks face off against the San Antonio Spurs.

As a Texas native and a known Spurs fan, Selena would have been rooting against the New Yorkers who flooded into Madison Square Garden with her.

When she posted about her Instagram hiatus last week, she wrote: ‘I’ve been taking a break from social media because my heart breaks to see all of the horror, hate, violence, and terror that’s going on the world. People being tortured and killed or any act of hate towards any one group is horrific.’

The Grand Prairie, Texas native said that she was concerned for everyone involved in the ongoing war.

‘We need to protect ALL people, especially children and stop the violence for good,’ the Only Murders in the Building star said. ‘I’m sorry if my words will never be enough for everyone or a hashtag.’

Gomez said she couldn’t just ‘stand by innocent people getting hurt’ and that it makes her ‘sick,’ wrapping up in saying, ‘I wish I could change the world. But a post won’t.’

The latest: Selena, 31, said Monday that she has been staying off her social media platforms amid the ongoing conflict in the Levant; pictured last month in Paris

The actress-singer shared her thoughts on Instagram Stories Monday

Gomez posted an image of her sister Gracie Elliott Teefey, 10, saying that having a young sibling has enhanced her sensitivity on the topic.

‘Having a sister, everyday has made me tragically sick,’ she said alongside a picture of her sibling. ‘I would do anything for children and innocent lives.’

Gomez last year said that she took more than four years off from going online, letting her assistant run her account, saying it was a life-changing decision she made for the better.

Appearing on Good Morning America in April of 2022, Gomez said staying offline had changed her life completely.

‘I am happier, I am more present, I connect more with people,’ said Gomez, who got back on personally earlier this year.

Gomez earlier this year announced she was taking a break from her social media in February, as she was involved in a controversy involving her friend Taylor Swift and Hailey Bieber, the supermodel wife of her ex, Justin Bieber.

‘I’m gonna be taking a second from social media, ’cause this is a little silly,’ Gomez said on TikTok Live. ‘And I’m 30, I’m too old for this, but I love you guys so much and I will see you guys sooner than later – I’m gonna just take a break from everything.’

Monday marked the 24th day of the conflict, as the Health Ministry in Gaza (which is run by Hamas) listed the Palestinian death toll as 8,306, with more than 110 Palestinian people killed amid fighting in the West Bank, the AP reported.

Gomez posted an image of her sister Gracie Elliott Teefey, 10, on Monday, saying that having a young sibling has enhanced her sensitivity on the topic

Gomez last year said that she took more than four years off from going online, letting her assistant run her account, adding it was a life-changing decision she made for the better

Monday marked the 24th day of the conflict, as Israeli troops were seen firing flares into the air in the Gaza region

Israeli military officials said that the death toll of Israeli people killed has passed more than 1,400, with the majority coming when Hamas militants stormed the Supernova music festival October 7 and slaughtered hundreds of Israeli people, taking 240 hostages to take back to Gaza.

‘Citizens of Israel, we are at war,’ declared Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who retaliated by laying siege to the Gaza Strip, unleashing a blizzard of airstrikes and eventually adding ground forces to the assault.

Gomez’s stance comes at a time when Hollywood has been split in its reactions, with some people cautious about their public commentary on the divisive issue.

Supermodel Bella Hadid, whose father is a native of Palestine, spoke publicly for the first time on the conflict in the Middle East last week, saying she and her family have been threatened after her sister Gigi publicly spoke out on the matter.

Among the celebrities who have publicly pledged support for Israel include Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Brady, Amy Schumer, Michael Rapaport and Israel native Gal Gadot.

Gomez’s ex Justin Bieber faced a backlash earlier this month after getting his facts wrong when he posted and deleted a message that read ‘Praying for Israel,’ with a background of war-torn Gaza. He subsequently replaced the inaccurate image with a generic background and the same message.

On Saturday, Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie issued a statement saying she hoped to see a ceasefire in the area.