We are fine. We are safe. No worries. Really. But things just got a little more real up here in Northern Israel a couple hours ago. Hundreds of rockets continue to rain down on central Israel every day. We’re now close to 4000 total rockets sent across from Gaza. And there have been “ticklers” elsewhere. What is a “tickler?” It’s when another country or group decides to test the area to see if the targeted country is watching and will engage. In the past 5 days, we’ve had 4 instances of lone rockets (or small clusters) and a drone fired into Northern Israel from Lebanon; 1 incursion from Syria into the Golan Heights and a drone and lone wolf Palestinian from Jordan armed with knives try to cross the border. It was determined that these were rogue Palestinian operatives based in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. It was determined that the drones were of Iranian origin. Both Hizbullah and the Lebanese army were quick to state that it didn’t come from them. The question remains are they trying to escalate the conflict and bring it to other fronts? One Israeli/American news outlet that is infamous for pumping out fake news came out with this headline two days ago:

So, once again, you cannot believe everything you read. For now, it appears that Lebanon/Hizbullah is turning a willful, blind eye. They are supporting Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and their backers Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood without getting directly involved. It seems to be their way of sympathizing – or so we hope. After tracking, the IDF has shot down the drones once they crossed into Israeli territory. They have responded with their own warning shots, sending volleys across to Lebanon and Syria. Supposedly, the Lebanese army arrested the perpetrators on their side. They know that tensions are running high. The other neighboring countries have a clear understanding of who Hamas is, what is at stake, and the risk of destabilizing the entire region. Noone, thankfully, wants that. At least not yet. But they are carefully watching us. Our response to Hamas. Our response time with the Iron Dome Defensive Shield. Whether we can be overwhelmed with rocket barrages. What Israel will do.

So, just this afternoon, I was up on our rooftop terrace watering my garden when the red alert siren went off again – as it does every few minutes round the clock. No Exaggertion. Read my other blogposts. I’ve learned to ignore every single buzz, but this time I felt the need to see where the rockets were headed. Shefaram and Ibillin, two Arab villages, which I can see off in the horizon to my left. I know them well. They are only about 7 miles as the crow flies. We buy our gas in Ibillin because it’s a few shekel cheaper per liter. Yikes! Then the next buzz goes off. Kiryat Bialik/Kiryat Motzkin/Haifa/Acco just about 7-18 miles to my right on the Mediterranean coast. I hear no warning siren in our immediate area. So I decided to try to film it. I thought they were strays from Gaza. It happens occasionally. The video of the actual moment of impact was obscured in the first video by the palm tree on the right, so it’s quite difficult to see unless you do a freeze frame. But here’s the second video clip I took where you can see the puff of cloud from where Iron Dome intercepted the rocket.

We quickly learned that at 4:13 pm, 4 rockets were fired at Israel from Lebanon. One landed back in Lebanon. Two fell into the Mediterranean. One was intercepted over Kiryat Bialik by the Iron Dome. And one landed in a field just outside Shefaram. The IDF fired back, and that was that. For now there is no escalation or involvement of another front.

As a side-note, I’m getting quite the education. My Hebrew vocabulary expanded quite a bit during the COVID lockdowns. Now I’m learning the words for ‘missile’ and ‘rocket’ and ‘barrage’ and ‘cease-fire’ and ‘siren’ and the like. Not only that, I’m learning the difference between rockets, which are just pipe-type bombs with exploding tips and shrapnel fill. Once they are launched, there is no control over where they go. A missile can be guided and is much more precise in its trajectory and focused target. Last weekend we were guests at the home of a native Israeli who had much knowledge militarily and in history. Sunday, we were guests at another home of native Israelis, and a couple of the men there not only had military experience, but were retired officers or reserve officers. It’s been fascinating.

I will now try to answer some of the questions I’ve received: just last night I was speaking on the phone with a close friend in the States. No. We are not afraid. Really and truly. I tried to explain that, as of now, we are far from the “action.” I’ve taken the pictures off the walls and the breakables off the shelves as a (now regular) precaution. Our underground shelter is fully stocked for us to last a good two weeks. I pray we never have to use it, but we are not afraid. We just watch the latest developments as they come in and pray a lot.

As I wrote in my last blogpost – No. Israel does NOT control Gaza. It was a lush and fertile farmland with some of the most beautiful beaches in the country and inhabited by both Israelis and Arabs. In 2005, the land was given to the Palestinian Authority in return for peace. The Israelis were forced out of their towns and homes by the IDF. In 2006, Hamas won legislative elections and took over rule in 2007 by defeating the PA in a violent coup. They now rule the strip with a violent fist. The PA and later, Hamas, have been receiving humanitarian aid since 1948. According to the World Bank data, between 1993 and 2013, they have received $27.1 billion worth of aid. They are also funded by Iran. Hamas has chosen to use much of this money to fund their terror campaign rather than on their own infrastructure. It’s more than tragic. (read that past blogpost)

Still, just yesterday, Israel packed up 38 large flat-bed semis with relief food, water, diapers and medical supplies bound for Gaza. They were met with rocket fire at the Keren Shalom crossing – Hamas obviously does not care about its own civilian population. Only three trucks made it in. 21 trucks were met with the same type of fire at the Erez checkpoint. Again, it’s heartbreaking.

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To note, the Gaza Strip also shares a border with Egypt. This border is also closed with a large wall, electric fencing and razor wire. It is needed for the defense of Egypt. They do not want terror exported into their country. Still weapons are smuggled by underground tunnels from Egypt into Gaza, which the Egyptians repeatedly find and collapse. It is unfortunately necessary for both Israel and Egypt to maintain tightly secured borders. And to answer your question, Andrea, the people from Gaza are not “trapped” inside their small compound. They can and do make request for visas into Israel. The Gaza’s are regularly allowed in and out for jobs and medical care in Israel. If they are not deemed to be a terrorist, they can travel out of the country through Ben Gurion Airport. They can go to other neighboring Arab countries with their permission. However, due to Gaza’s tendency to import weapons parts, which are in turn used on Israel’s citizens, Israel carefully inspects all imports at the border. Hanan was telling us Sunday of the time remote control devices were attempted to be smuggled by way of a truckload of watermelons. He was inspecting the truck when he and another border patrol soldier noticed a few of the melons leaking. Holes had been bored into the melons which were filled with contraband and then shoddily plugged back up. Now, as Israeli citizens, John and I are absolutely not allowed into Gaza or much of the West Bank territories. When we have visitors from abroad, they are allowed to go into Bethlehem or Nablus. They can travel to other Muslim countries that we cannot. We stay behind. If I were to try to walk into Gaza, I wouldn’t come back out alive.

In response to Julie’s statement that the war is unfair and lopsided against the Gazans – I’d like to quote IDF Major in the the Reserves unit, Dan Pfefferman. “There are many armchair commentators outside of Israel right now. they speak with an ignorance about how militaries work and how wars are waged. Many people are protesting what they perceive to be disproportionate levels of force and unfair advantages and disadvantages. This is not some sort of football match where the score stays fairly even until the end. We need to be talking about disproportionality of intentions, not capabilities. Then it should become very clear who is the oppressor and who is the defender in this case. We need to ask, “O.K. So what would YOU do differently? What would you do if another country was bombarding your civilian population centers?” You can’t talk disproportionality in war. You can’t tell one side to ‘use no more force than you need to achieve your goals.’ It’s completely unrealistic. It’s a complete disconnect and a misunderstanding of how militaries operate.”

Retired Tel Nof Air Force Base commander, Brigadier General (Ret.) Israel “Relik” Shafir states, ” Most people are completely unaware of how the IDF operates. It’s a whole complex process before we make a strike. First we need to see clear, hard intelligence to be assured of the exact terror target to strike. It’s definitely not indiscriminate. We have a group of military commanders, strategists, international law experts and our intel meeting together to discuss the operational worth of a strike. There are legal and moral aspects to consider as well as ‘strike windows’ of when we can and cannot strike. Everything is discussed, vetted and validated before a decision is made. We must consider the efficacy of the strike versus the risk before proceeding. We do not want to hit civilian or non-terror related targets. I know of no other army that goes through such a process. And you have seen film of where at the last second, a strike has been called off because we see children or innocents in the area. “

I’m constantly listening to the news for further updates. As I was writing this post, a senior United Arab Emirates official said, “If Hamas does not commit to complete calm, it is dooming the residents of the Strip to a life of suffering. Its leaders must understand that their policies are first and foremost hurting the people of Gaza.” Powerful words from someone how truly understands. Just a short while ago US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and President Joe Biden called Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu to order a “significant deescalation today on the path of ceasefire.” I do not believe any Hamas operatives were also called. It seems one sided to me. Bibi Netanyahu just released his response. ( I will translate from the Hebrew) “…I greatly appreciate the support of these governments and I especially appreciate the support of the President of the United States our friend Joe Biden for the Israel state self-defense. I am determined to continue this operation until its goal is achieved – to bring complete peace and security back to the citizens of Israel.”

In the meantime, what are some things you can do to help? Thank all of you who offered to send us care packages. Firstly, we have everything we need at present. Also, shipping from the States or Europe is prohibitively expensive. Lastly, our airport is still closed, so shipments will probably be held up until who knows when. Still, many many thanks!!!! I can’t tell you how much your support is appreciated. So what can you do?

Do your own research. Ask questions. If something seems exaggerated, exclamatory, propagandized, or fake, it probably is. Do not take the word of celebrities, sports figures, supermodels, late night talk show hosts, musicians or other self-defined experts.

If you wish to make a donation, but don’t know who to support, there are a few non-profit organizations that we, ourselves, donate too. They are reputable and have offices both in Israel and in the US. The first is United Hatzalah. These are paramedics on motorbikes, volunteer medics from both Jewish, Christian and Muslim sectors. They are risking their lives to help provide first-responder care to those who have been injured. They are often the first to arrive on the scene, but with the conditions today, they are desperately in need of bulletproof/shrapnelproof vests and kevlar helmets. I can’t speak of these fine men and women highly enough. Go to @israelrescue.org

The next organization was a tremendous blessing helping out those affected by the COVID lockdowns. They provide groceries and boxed, Kosher meal to anyone in need no questions asked. They have been taxed to the limit the past week, delivering food boxes to the fallout shelters. They deliver children’s care packages, staff counseling centers to help with the PTSD that everyone down South seem to be experiencing. The good folks, all volunteers, at Meir Panim are true heroes. They can be reached @give.meirpanim.org

Israel is the only standing army I know that has volunteer soldiers join from foreign countries. Fine young men and women from 81 different countries are currently serving in the IDF – and no. Not all of them are Jewish either. Most come in from the US, but we have soldiers from the UK, Switzerland, South Africa, India, the Philippines, Mexico, Brazil … from all over the world. It’s pretty amazing. They must learn the Hebrew language, then go through boot camp and advanced training. We’ve been privileged to meet many of them. Some of them have to find their own apartments for the times they are off duty. Many later go on to become full citizens. And “TheBase: The Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin” is right there to help. They offer housing to the soldiers; provide meals; counseling; social activities; support in everything from finding the right medical care to helping read bills, fill ourt paperwork and understand important mail. They are the lone soldiers’ life line and are truly a home away from home. You can contact them at lonesoldiercenter.com

Again, we know that we live in a lovely country filled with beautiful, caring people. It’s just that the real estate is in a really crappy neighborhood for the most part. So again, it’s wonderful hearing from all of you! Please keep the questions coming. I’ll do maybes to find out the answers. Thank you for all your outpourings of support. Keep the prayers rising up. If you like what you read and find it helpful/informative/entertaining, then please hit the subscribe button and also SHARE THESE ARTICLES with as many other as might be interested. You can follow my Instagram feed @eemahleh. I will try to do another update in a couple days. Hopefully there will be good news to report.

In the meantime, here’s a map for you of response times. It’s the time we have to run to a shelter from anywhere in the country when we hear a siren go off. It’s kind of interesting. If a missile were to be fired towards our home and a siren were to sound, we would have between 45 seconds and one minute to stop what we’re doing and take cover. Wow-