israelis Assess Damage and Resolve After Iranian Missile attacks
Table of Contents
TEL AVIV – Residents of Israel are grappling with the aftermath of a recent barrage of missile attacks from Iran, assessing the damage to their homes and communities while expressing a mix of resilience and determination. Despite the destruction, many israelis voice support for their government’s actions and emphasize the importance of protecting their nation.
Sveta, a 37-year-old resident of Ramat Gan, conveyed a sense of resolve despite her family’s home being damaged in the attack. “I support it fully,” she stated, referring to the government’s decision to strike Iran. “This is nothing compared to what they will be able to do if they get their hand on the A-bomb [nuclear weapons]. We can’t afford for the Iranians to get them.”
Sveta added that she and her husband reassure their daughters by saying, “as long as we go to the shelter together, everything is OK. The damage in the house is just material things.”
Scenes of Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In Ramat Gan, emergency services were seen navigating through debris-filled streets, working to reach a building that sustained a direct hit. The structure was reduced to rubble,with only a cabinet remaining intact on what was once the first floor. Rescue teams continued searching for survivors amidst the wreckage as sirens blared in the background.
According to a military spokesperson, Iran launched over 150 missiles at Israel, with approximately 10 bypassing air defenses. These strikes resulted in three fatalities in the Tel Aviv area and injuries to over 70 individuals across the country.
Yaniv Nimni,a resident of Rishon lezion,recounted how his home lost its roof and windows in the barrage. Despite the damage, he remained resolute, stating, “This is only money, as long as the family are OK, that’s what matters.” He questioned why the government had not acted sooner against Iran. “It should have been done much earlier,” he said.
Shelter Network Proves Vital
The country’s shelter network played a crucial role in saving lives, authorities said. The three individuals killed in Ramat Gan and Rishon LeZion were not in protected areas when the missiles struck.
Adjusting to a New Reality
The scale of the destruction has left many Israelis stunned. Houses were reduced to concrete shells, gardens were ruined, and cars were crushed.Bar, a 31-year-old resident of Ramat Gan, recounted her family’s narrow escape, as they were staying with her parents when the attack occurred. Upon returning to check on their apartment, she was denied entry due to the extent of the damage.
“I’m anxious and in shock, and the kids are very scared. We have nowhere to go, no home to go back to.”
Orly, 27, who was helping a friend clean up shattered glass from a beauty salon, emphasized the impact of the missile strike. “You see what a ballistic missile does? We are hundreds of metres away here,” she said. “We were in the shelter when it hit and you felt it. I’ve been through a couple of wars now and I knew this was different.”
Elia Digma, 18, who lives near a damaged high-rise in Tel Aviv, expressed shock at the destruction but remained confident in the necessity of a pre-emptive strike on Iran.
“We are doing what we need to defend ourselves,” Elia said. “The Bible says if someone comes to kill you, you must kill them first. We are ready for anything and everything that will bring quiet.”