Sirens in Tel Aviv

Over the past 72 hours, over 130 rockets have been fired into Israel from Gaza. Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other terrorists organizations. For the most part, the rockets have been concentrated in the southern part of the country. Today though, I heard the noise that I hoped never to hear. Lucky for me I was in the bathroom and not walking on the street. I was not scared when I first heard the siren. At first I did not think of it at all, but then I realized it was real once I  heard police and ambulance sirens along with it.I knew that something was going to happen soon, but I just did not know when it would happen. After about a minute I heard a loud explosion. Then the siren stopped, and I ran to where the rest of my group was. Our night tour of Tel Aviv was cancelled and we were told to go straight home. Once I got home I started to read the news and read that countries such as Russia, Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan have condemned IDF action against Gaza. This just pissed me off. I understand why these countries have condemned the action, but lets be real here. The IDF is taking action because it is defending its citizens and not trying to murder Palestinians at will in Gaza. In every conflict there has to be a instigator. If Hamas and Islamic Jihad for example stopped firing rockets into Israel, the IDF would stop its operations in Gaza. I hate it when people blame only one side in the conflict for the lack of peace. Some say its the settlements, and others say its Hamas. If any kind of peace will happen, both sides need to drop their weapons, put aside their differences, and come to the negotiation table. I also hate that Israelis living in the south have to deal with these attacks while I am here in Tel Aviv. Where I can be on my computer in my living room instead of being locked in the bomb shelter because you do not know when the next attack might happen. Where I could be walking on the street about to go to a club or a pub instead of wondering when it safe to leave the bomb shelter. I have experienced what it is like to take cover, but to be ready at any moment is another thing that I have not experienced. I also hate that innocent Palestinians and Israelis lost their lives because of violence from both sides. It has just been a very crazy few hours here in Tel Aviv, but constantly for parts of the country.

 Anyways, I am safe. My apartment has a shelter room. Tonight a bunch of us made food and hung out in the apartment. I am kind of sad that I was not able to have the night that I was hoping to have. Then again, I could be like some 1 million Israelis in the South probably spending the night in their bomb shelter. So in reality, I am just glad to be where I am right now. I pray that tomorrow will be a rocket free day. I will keep everyone updated. Laila Tov!!