Gaza Rockets Cause Shock, Fear in Israel

Gaza Rockets Cause Shock, Fear in Israel
From: Integrated Regional Information Networkds (IRIN)

(Jan. 2) The Israeli authorities estimate that over one million citizens are within missile range, including those in major cities such as Beer Sheba, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and several smaller towns and villages.

Israelis take cover during a rocket warning siren in the southern Israeli town of Ashkelon, Monday Dec. 29, 2008. © Amir Farshad Ebrahimi (flickr)A red alert system is in place. Residents in Ashdod have 45 seconds to reach shelter; in Ashkelon they have 30 seconds to do so, and in Sderot only 15 seconds.

Home front command has ordered all schools and public institutes within 40km of the Gaza border closed until further notice. Public shelters are being opened in every city, including some which had been closed for decades....

From Beer Sheba, Soroka Hospital spokesperson Inbar Darom-Gotter told IRIN on 1 January: "We've treated over 150 cases of shell shock in the last four days -- much more than physical injuries. The hospital is well prepared for upcoming emergencies and missile attacks."

Barzilai hospital in Ashkelon is now working in an emergency mode; all non-urgent operations have been suspended. In the four days up to 1 January, the hospital treated 116 people -- 74 shell shock cases, and 42 physical injuries.

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