Israel's News & Views Blog
After 28 days of living in and out of cramped, smelly shelters and 3 X 3 meter ’security rooms’, many of Israel’s northern residents are rapidly approaching their ‘breaking point’. The ones feeling the effects of this very uncomfortable situation the most are parents with small children, as well as the infirm and the elderly. Many families who have the means found temporary accommodations further south, beyond the range of the short and medium range Katyusha rockets, responsible for nearly all of the deaths, injuries and destruction inflicted so far. Some have even traveled as far as Israel’s southern-most city of Eilat; where hotels and pensions are brim full, and opportunistic hoteliers have taken advantage of their good fortune by even raising prices in what is normally the resort community’s ‘off-season’.
The more unfortunate members of Israel’s northern communities, however, have stayed put, simply because they have nowhere else to go. Seeing elderly and chronically ill people, many with respiratory related illnesses, languishing in the foul, humid atmosphere of underground shelters, many with oxygen tubes in place to assist their breathing, is enough to effect anyone, no matter how understanding. Young mothers with babies and toddlers have been especially hit hard due to trying to cope with screaming infants and youngsters, as well as feeding them and taking care of their needs (changing diapers, etc), turning them into nervous wrecks. Kind and understanding remarks from government appointed psychologists and social workers are also doing little to placate peoples’ anger and frustration either. Past military intrusions into Lebanon, such as the 1978 Litani Operation, and even the 1982 Lebanese War (more formally known as Operation Peace for Galilee) have not resulted in such stress and hardships as this present conflict, which still appears to be far from over.
Recent government plans to temporarily evacuate residents from hard-hit communities like Kiryat Shmona, may be a temporary ’stop-gap’ way of dealing with the crises, but not all effected citizens want to leave, as they are afraid of looters breaking into their homes. Others, especially those with school-aged children are beginning to worry about what will happen when schools reopen again in less than three weeks time. To have to delay the start of the school year in many communities could have an even further negative effect on kids who are already under a great deal of emotional strain from the effects of almost daily missile bombardment. “It was really keff (fun) at the beginning, when we all played together in the shelter. But now, it’s not that way anymore. I want to go back home to my own room and my privacy” one ten year old girl from Nahariya was quoted recently.
Discussions about a workable cease fire and stationing of international forces along Israel’s border with Lebanon may come in time to allow Israel’s northern residents to return to some semblance of normalcy; including the ability of children to begin their school year on time. What ever agreement is worked out, and hopefully honored by all sides in this conflict, will not make residents of Israel’s northern communities feel completely secure however. Many of them, especially those who have endured previous conflicts in the pas, know that at best it will only buy them some time – even if this can be calculated in years; until the next go-around.
Post a Comment