As a Brit, it was bizarre to see life just go on...
OPINION: The M.E.N.’s political writer Joseph Timan was in Israel when Iran targeted the country with hundreds of drones
IT’S hard to sleep when you know a war is being fought in the skies above you. And another horrific conflict not far away on the ground. But as the night unfolded, the sound of explosions was somehow reassuring.
Hundreds of Iranian drones and missiles which were launched at Israel on Saturday night were shot down, including by British forces.
The attack by Iran – a retaliation to a strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria, reportedly by Israel, which killed military figures and diplomats – was anticipated all week.
You’d think the imminent threat of a global conflict on your doorstep would be all that people could talk about. As a Brit, it was bizarre to see life just go on.
The mental scars from October 7, when more than 1,000 civilians were killed by Hamas in Israel, are still visible. On arrival, images of hundreds of hostages taken by the group, which controls Gaza, line the airport’s walkways and demands that they are immediately returned home are on display throughout the country. But day to day, despite the ongoing war in Gaza which has tragically claimed lives of more than 30,000 Palestinians, many people in Israel are trying to get on with their lives.
Reports that an Iranian attack was imminent did not stop hundreds of guests attending the wedding in southern
Israel which I apprehensively travelled to from Manchester. It was easy to forget that just a few miles away, several towns and villages suffered unimaginable acts of terrorism a few months earlier.
A blast heard in the distance the following day was an unwelcome reminder that this war is not over. Knowing it came from Gaza is far from comforting. But the explosions in the early hours of Sunday were different. They were an example of the Israel Defence Forces earning their title. While the air force patrolled the skies above, civilians were preparing for the familiar sound of sirens. On the news, army representatives told the public to follow the usual drill which typically involves moving to a secure room, or a communal shelter, and shutting the door within a minute of the siren sounding. Over a few hours, more than 300 drones and missiles were fired at Israel. Around 99 per cent were intercepted – some before reaching Israeli airspace. Sirens went off throughout the country, but the damage was limited. A 10-year-old girl was severely injured by shrapnel falling, but, thankfully, no one died.
In the part of central Israel where I was stuck due to flights being cancelled, no sirens sounded in the night – but the sky was far from silent. Jets zoomed past, prompting fears of danger nearby. In the end, it was the sound of weapons being shot down in the distance that brought calm to the situation.
Israel is still on high alert, as are neighbouring countries, while the prospect of an escalating conflict looms. For now, all people can realistically hope for is a better night’s sleep.
A 10-year-old girl was severely injured by shrapnel falling, but thankfully, no one died
M.E.N. political writer Joseph Timan