Residents of the city of Ashkelon on Israel's southern coast are outraged at the latest flare-up in violence, which has thus far killed one resident and left some 100 wounded, including one man in critical condition following a rocket hit on a local factory.
"This was a really hard Shabbat," says Devorah Harush, who lives on the same street as the late Moshe Agadi, a 58-year-old father of four, who was killed early Sunday morning.
"We can't remember it ever being this bad, both in terms of the intensity and the number of rockets being fired at us. I'm not ashamed to say, I voted for [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu, and I'm really disappointed that we've lost our military deterrence against Hamas and the rest of the terrorist organizations," Harush said.
"I'm aware of the fact that we have the Eurovision coming up and it's just before Remembrance Day and Independence Day, and at a time like this, it's better for the Israeli people to mourn quietly and celebrate the country's independence. But there's a limit to what we can endure in the name of the days that are just about here," she said.
"Enough – we're sick of this terrorism, all these sirens and booms. We're sick of the fear and the explosions and the children experiencing one trauma after another. If they need to, they should start a military operation and deal them a fatal blow," Harush said.
On Sunday, the third day of heavy rocket fire, Ashkelon residents seemed mostly stunned. The streets were virtually empty, and anyone who had to be out conducted their business quickly so as not be caught exposed if there was another rocket barrage.
"I'm not ashamed to admit it – I'm scared," said Zion Dabush, 71.
"On a day like today, I wouldn't leave the house. It's better to stay someplace safe, but I had to go to the doctor. So I'm getting it done as quickly as possible, and going back home.
"True, Agadi was killed when he was at home, but you need to be really careful on a day like today. You really need to follow the instructions of the IDF Homefront Command, and not play Russian roulette with your life. The murderers from Gaza are godless. They'll murder children and old people, and as I said, I'd rather be at home, near my safe room. That's where I feel safest," Dabush said.
Katya, a 17-year-old high school student, said, "What a sad day for Ashkelon. Look how sad everyone is. It's not easy to lose someone from the city, someone we knew and only did good in the world. He's the one who had to die because of a rocket? I work as a waitress in a café in town, and I know that it will be empty today because no one is in the mood to go out and enjoy themselves."
