In the Line of Fire in Sderot
Within split seconds of parking outside the police station, the alarm went off warning of incoming missiles. I only knew it was an alarm because Sarena and Reut had heard it before. I knew we had 15 seconds to find a bomb shelter. Luckily, we found one, and within less than five seconds I heard the loudest explosion I have ever heard go off. The bomb shelter, no bigger than some people’s bathtub, shook and it took several long seconds before anyone was interested in checking outside. Quickly it was obvious, due to smoke, yelling, sirens, and hundreds of people appearing on the scene that the Kassam rocket fired from Gaza had hit less than 50 meters away from us.
We stood and watched everyone around us get busy doing their jobs — police, army, ambulances, neighbors, journalists, photographers. It was like watching a beehive, with everyone having a specific task. We quickly reviewed how fortunate we were not to be in the car, and doubted whether we would have even heard the siren in the car. Being the sole adult in our group I had to put up a brave front, but inside I was trembling.
The representatives of Lev Echad, in the end, could not meet us due to the road blocks following the explosion, so we walked and found our way by ourselves. Slowly, more people came outside. As we walked, only several blocks, we kept our eyes on bomb shelters or staircases we could enter in case another alarm was to go off. Never before had I experienced the panic and vulnerability that I felt during that walk.
Lev Echad’ “headquarters” is a bomb shelter, converted into an afternoon day care center for children and a place for volunteers to sleep. Here the operation is run by several hip-looking 20-somethings.
We were briefed by them regarding our responsibilities as volunteers and their responsibility to keep us safe. Communication is key, texting by cell phone is essential. The organization wanted to know where we were, and that we were OK all the time. They gave us white shirts with a red heart logo, requested a small donation in exchange for them, and sent us with two other volunteers back to the police station area to help clean the apartments of shattered glass, comfort trauma victims, and seal windows with masking tape.
There was still activity around the apartment area where the Kassam fell so close to us. Gas was leaking from a tank and that was being fixed. Journalists and photographers, police, soldiers, social workers, and other volunteers were everywhere. Every apartment was covered in layers of shattered glass and rubble and dust. Most of the occupants were Russian immigrants who did not speak English or Hebrew. Hugs and smiles were the universal language. Every apartment had a broom, a dust bin, and a mop.
We had no gloves, no other equipment — just adrenaline and a will to help. This was the first time a Kassam had fallen so close to this complex. The reaction from the people we met was panic and faith in God: many thanked God for remaining alive.
Unfortunately, none of the apartments in this complex had bomb shelters. When they hear the siren — and there isn’t always a siren — they run into their very small bathroom. I shudder imagining what it is like to be in there longer than a couple of minutes.
As we left the complex to drive back to our home, we felt good having been part of the effort — that we were able to do something.
We had less than a three minute walk to our car. As we walked I said to the teenagers, “Gosh, when you look out and the sun is shining and the streets are busy again, it’s easy to forget what happened this morning; how can people think about it all the time?”
That second the siren went off, and once again we found ourselves in the same bomb shelter we had been in less than four hours before.
My question now isn’t how can people think about it all the time; it is “how much longer will they have to?”
Karen, Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us. Time to make another donation to help out the people of Sderot (via the OU’s secure donation site https://secure2.convio.net/ou/site/Donation2?idb=1484751277&df_id=1500&1500.donation=form1 )
You’ve only got 15 seconds, that’s it. 15 seconds between when the sirens sound and when the rockets impact and explode.
It’s like…this!
DoubleTapper
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karen.. watched CNN,..Mom called to let me know you were being interviewed, hope you are all well and safe. following the newsreports and wondering if we are getting it all.
Great article, Karen! I’m proud of your contibution to those in need in Sderot. Keep up the laudable efforts and keep safe. Please let the people you have contact with in Israel know – there are many here in the U.S that are thinking of them everyday! Best!
Will your next visit be to Gaza City?
Shef – We’ll leave that for the IDF.
I can imagine. Carrying on with sleepless nights and a brave smile by day with a pounding heart not knowing if you when you close that door of your home if you will live to open it again. And then the little children, holding their hands tight as though never to let them go until you reach the kindergarten and then to leave them in the hands of God till you see them next while you go to the market to keep life going on as normal. But it isn’t and you know it and everyone else knows it too for that Red Signal tells you so and the wailing sound of the Sirens proves it too clearly …. Where was it this time??? so that should’t we say ‘Hats off and more’ to all those brave people living in Sderot that despite it all, do not leave……..?
I watched news reposrts of Hamas led demonstrations. I looked at the pictures on PowerlineBlog. The thought kept coming back to me at what point to people lose their humanity? I just see cockroaches and vermin attacking humanity.
Karen, I just watched you on CNN. I must say- you mentioned that 2 out of 3 Israeli kids have PTSD? Well, at least they are alive. I lived in a warzone myself for many years, and I can tell you first hand that I know what both sides are experiencing. But for you to say that the Israelis are experiencing so much hardship after nearly 500 Palestinian deaths is comical. Truly. The Israelis say that the Hamas rockets must stop? The world says that the embargo imposed on the Palestinians should stop. They are Human Beings too. They have been living in a state of horrific disgust for a long time. I am sure the majority of those living in the Gaza strip very much dislike Hamas and all that it is causing. But please, don’t go around showing the world what injustice is being inflicted on the Israelis when so far 100 Palestinian children have been killed. That is just not fair. You, as a mother should know. I have NEVER been a supported or Hamas, nor will I ever be, and I have always made it a point to be a mediator between Arabs and Israelis, but this time Israel has gone too far. Time for some objectivity.
Well, here’s a thought for you, “peacekeeper” — and, really, how many times do we have to say the same thing….If the Palestinians would stop bombing Israel and instead, set about building their country – and yes, they do have a country – there would be no more wars — no more killing….further, I really wouldn’t trust any report from the Palestinians regarding the number of dead. And finally, something I have recently recognized — the Palestinians don’t want to build their country — it was bloody hard work for the Israelis to turn the desert they were given into the modern nation it is today — and the Palestinians are basically lazy. Their men would rather hang around doing nothing all day – when they aren’t out setting off rockets – Hey! it’s easier to sit around whining and waiting for handouts, then it is to actually set to work to create something of lasting value. With the amount of aid they have received over the last 60 years what have they got to show for it? A lot of weapons.
As the mullahs in Iran have said so often: “Muslims worship death, not life.”