“This should not have happened”: in Israel, an entire country in shock after the Hamas attack

Saturday evening, while the end of the Sukkot holiday is generally the occasion for joyful gatherings, in Ramat Gan, a close suburb of Tel Aviv, the streets are deserted. On Rambam Square, usually very lively at the end of the day, only a few passers-by still dare to venture out of their homes. “I went out to get some fresh air, it’s strange to see the streets so empty,” said Omri Brand, a 25-year-old medical student.

Incomprehension dominates

Since Saturday morning, Israel has been on alert following the firing of thousands of rockets by Hamas against its territory. Members of the Palestinian armed group infiltrated several communities bordering the Gaza Strip, sowing terror and capturing at least fifty Israelis, according to media reports, which also reported 200 dead and at least 1,400 injured. . “I come from the south of the country and several people I know have been killed,” says Omri.

“No one yet understands what happened,” continues the young man, before running towards a shelter to the sound of rocket alerts ringing out in the streets. On Saturday, the Israeli army responded by bombing Hamas sites in the Gaza Strip, killing more than 200 people according to Palestinian sources.

In Ramat Gan, Hadar Cohen, aged 32, found refuge in the stairwell of her building. “I’m on alert, I’ve been going up and down the steps four times,” says the young woman. I’m afraid the situation will get worse tonight, we have no shelter in the building, here in the stairwell, the windows could explode on impact.”

“It’s terrible what’s happening and it’s worrying,” she continues, crossing her arms over her chest as if to protect herself. “It’s hard for us, but it’s even more trying for the residents southerners being shot at point blank range. I don’t understand what happened, this shouldn’t have happened.”