Despite the looming threat of an Iranian attack in the Middle East, Israelis remain steadfast in their daily routines.
to avenge the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran on Wednesday. While Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in the assassination, it has been widely attributed to the country.
The potential for missile and drone attacks from Iran and its allies has prompted Israelis to stock up on essentials like food, water, and batteries. This surge in purchases echoes the events leading up to Iran’s massive missile and drone barrage in April.
“I’m aware that if [Iranian leader Ali] Khamenei makes a promise, he usually follows through,” Yael Sasson, a 56-year-old homemaker from Ashkelon, told The Press Service of Israel. “The question is simply the nature of the attack, and in my opinion, the news outlets have overreacted somewhat to this entire situation.”
Sasson, a mother of two, confirmed her family’s preparedness. Notably, she observed that Ashkelon’s parks and beaches remain crowded.
“We’re putting our trust in the and, God willing, everything will turn out alright,” Sasson said.
Nick Gottlieb, a 26-year-old American immigrant who works at a tech venture capital firm in Tel Aviv, shared with TPS-IL that life in Tel Aviv continues as usual.
“If there’s a war, someone forgot to tell Tel Aviv. It’s business as usual – the beaches, shuck [marketplace], and bars are still packed,” he noted.
“There’s definitely a low-level sense of stress in the air, but people are going about their lives as normal. I’m not going to let this stop me from going to work.”
Gottlieb expressed complete confidence in to TPS-IL.
“I believe Iran is a house of cards, entirely reliant on oil revenue and arms sales to terrorists. If Israel receives the green light to retaliate, their regime will crumble,” he stated emphatically. “To sum it up in two words: ‘bring it.’”
TPS contributed to this report.