It’s not over until the fat lady sings, and I’m not singing yet!

We knew from past experience. From Iran. From Hizbulla. It’s always the same. We agree to a pre-set cease fire and they shoot rockets right up until the last minute. They must have the last word. That’s how they display superiority. Like their grand farewell to arms. Or is it?

Last night Trump announced a peace deal. Great. Iran last night was trying to save face. To go out with a bang. To retaliate for the US bombing of their nuclear sites, they pre-planned their attack on empty military bases in Qatar. Real friendly country, that Qatar. They did it in a way that the US didn’t have to retaliate. Iran notified their partners of a strike, who in turn, informed the US so interceptions could be made. And boom. It was over.

Now for the little satan. We knew our turn was coming. The cease fire deal was to happen at 7 am. We got the first alert (the banshee wail that screams through our phones) at 05:31 this morning. By 05:42 the red alerts began. We were already in the safe room. Once again, a very heavy barrage throughout Israel from north to south. Almost immediately, I received a feed that a large apartment complex in BeerSheva had taken a direct hit. Magen David Adom, Home Front, Search & Rescue and ZAKA were on their way. Multiple casualties. At least two dead. Then three. Children being pulled from the rubble. Many injuries. Some quite severe. Then another found dead. News travels quickly here.

Then came the second barrage. Scattershot throughout the country. It was 06:12 and we still had about 45 minutes to go. It was going to be a rough day. A third barrage went to the south again, towards the desert…the nuclear power plant. We didn’t have to shelter in place for that one.

John was already sound asleep again, so I went out on the mirpesset to say my morning prayers. Then to pick some vegetables and pull some weeds. It was 06:44, and while I was outside received another alert for the central Israel area. It’s a really small country. When a missile lands near the Dead Sea or in Netanya, we can hear the thuds. Faint, but still… perhaps you can pick up the “pops” midway through- I apologize. I’ve worked on this all day and am having major problems uploading videos…

Took my tomatoes and squash inside and no sooner was I in, than another local area siren outside signaling more incoming. It was 06:56. I guess that was the end of it. I decided that tonight I’d take a sleeping pill and finally get a good shower and shut eye.

But no….of course not. It was not quite over. Not yet, because just as we emerged from our hidey holes….another alert. More sirens. This is really getting old, and I’m about to lose my patience. Lord help me. Come to the aid of your people.

Aaahhh… finally. A sigh of relief. Breathe…just breathe. It’s really all over. I’m out on the mirpesset again. It’s 07:15 and the cease fire is in effect. Peace! Then the red alert on my phone is activated for communities in central Israel. Near the airport. Netanyahu’s Caesaria home. Tel Aviv. Modi’in. It wasn’t near us, so I decided to film any incoming. Again, the thunder is not thunder. You have to wait until almost the end of the video clip and put your sound up… sorry another video I cannot post. You’ll have to take my word for it.

So, Iran denied that they violated the agreement. Their excuse was that the last round of missiles was fired before the cease fire, but from the west, so they just took longer to reach Israel. Do I believe them? Do they have a record of telling the truth? I decided to put the coffee on, answer emails and start the day. Believe me, this is all really exhausting. John and Haggis had gone back to bed again, hoping to catch up on missed sleep.

My neighbor and I planned a barbecue for tomorrow. They would do the grilling and provide the drinks. I’d bring the meat and all the ingredients for s’mores that I’d brought back from the States. Their kids would love it. I’d been promising them we’d do this, but then life happened. Now we had reason to celebrate. We stood outside between our houses chatting. It was a gorgeous day. Peace is sweet. Peace is quiet.

Then at exactly 10:30: it came. Without warning. The siren. O.K. Now I’m flaming hot mad. Seriously angry at those bloody jihadis. Ceasefire!?!?! Yeah, right. Pardon my messy home and my harshness in the video. I’m just so over this. I cut the filming just as the interceptions crashed above and I made it to the mammad – John and Haggis right behind me.

Israel is vowing to retaliate with force. “Iran broke the ceasefire and they will pay!” promises a member of Knesset. Tehran denies it fired missiles at Israel. There were definite interceptions. We heard them from the safe room. Two loud ones. So what were they doing? Lobbing. shawarma? Ben Gurion was just about to open its airspace. We had just received the all-clear, everything back open an hour before this. (By the way, when John went to pick up my prescription yesterday, everything but the main clinic and pharmacy and small corner mini market was closed).

Where do we stand now? It’s exactly noon. I have no idea what is going on. Of course, I’ve talked to several friends and neighbors. All have said that Trump was naive. That we should have at least gotten the hostages back as part of the deal. And then, the unconfirmed news: the Ayatollah Khameni’s son, Mojtaba Khameni was reportedly killed by an unknown suspect at close range in Tehran. World’s shortest ceasefire.

So, one really nice and totally amazing thing just happened. A lady from the city municipality just called. Somehow our name was on a list? She was checking to see how we were? Do we have a safe room? Are we okay? Do we need anything…food, water, medicine? Are we alone or do we have family? Were there any damages? My goodness. I’ve never received a call like this. These people are phenomenal!!!

Now we wait. I guess I can do a deep clean of the kitchen. We did all the windows last week. All of us here need a long vacation. Amalfi Coast anyone?

I’m back. It’s now almost 6pm and we still have no idea what is going on. One missile actually landed on the mountain across from us and killed a bunch of cows. Seriously. That was at 10:30. I know Trump was more than angry…all the posts on Truth Social. The IAF did not retaliate, but turned its jets around mid air. Where do we go from here? No clue? Can we plan for tomorrow? No clue. But one thing is certain. I will not be taking that sleeping pill. Tonight – just in case. May G-d have mercy on us all.