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ABC News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Israelis are being forced underground in major cities as Iranian missiles rain down in retaliatory strikes
The streets of Tel Aviv often feel a world away from conflict. It's a bustling cosmopolitan city whose residents lap up the Mediterranean sun on kilometres of beaches. But the mood across Israel's largest metropolitan area is currently subdued. Its usual gridlocked traffic has disappeared, and many businesses are closed. Nowhere is that more apparent than at Tel Aviv's Carmel Market — if it's not the heart, then it's certainly the stomach of the city. The usual cacophony of shopkeepers and customers squeezing through its narrow laneways has been replaced by a tense and quiet atmosphere, as Israelis deal with the ever-present threat from above. "It's not normal at all," Gal Ben Yishayahu said, pulling her shopping cart behind her. "It's supposed to be a lot of people at this time. About an hour before 7.30 arrived at the market, warning sirens had rung out across the country as an afternoon Iranian missile barrage was detected hurtling towards Israel. The few customers who had been shopping were forced to flee, seeking out public shelters nearby. Many did not return once the nation was given the all clear. "When there is war, when there are bad things happening, all the people escape the market," said greengrocer Ghanem Sari, one of the few shopkeepers still open. "They are afraid for themselves. In the market there are people, but when there is an emergency situation the people leave: the market and the market becomes empty immediately. "It has an effect. We, the owners of the shop lose, the produce gets thrown away, there is no work, no selling of goods." Around the corner, bar owner Galia Berental summed up the sentiment. The reason the streets of Tel Aviv are eerily quiet is because the official directive to the population is to stay close to shelters. Israel's missile detection systems send alerts to mobile apps, with a 10-minute warning of an incoming barrage. As the missiles rain down on the country, loud warning sirens ring out telling people the threat has arrived and they need to barricade themselves inside shelters. Many houses built from the early 1990s onwards have private safe rooms, with thick concrete walls and doors designed to shield the occupants. The ABC bureau in Jerusalem even has such a room. Other buildings, including hotels, have shared facilities on every floor or in basements. Older houses and apartment blocks often do not, meaning residents need to rely on public shelters in the streets. In Ramat Gan, close to Tel Aviv, some have decided it is safer to sleep inside the underground light rail station, which has been opened as a public shelter given the transport service is not running. Armed with inflatable mattresses and blankets, and power boards to keep their devices charged, dozens of families have moved on to the concourses hoping for a decent night's sleep. Chaim Bar Or, who operates a bar above the station, said people living in the station are not complaining about the situation or the threat from Iran. "All of us are soldiers," he said. "When we need to fight, we know how to fight — we live hard, we fight hard, we party hard. While these shelter options are available in Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan, they are not in some other cities. Last weekend an Iranian missile hit Tamra in northern Israel, with four members of the same family being killed in their home. The town's population is predominantly Palestinian, and it has no public shelters, despite a population of almost around 35,000. "The Jewish community that don't have shelters or access to shelters are about, let's say, 14, 15 per cent, while the Arab community is more close to 60 or 70 per cent," architect Alon Cohen-Lifshitz said. "You can see it in East Jerusalem as well, where there are very few public shelters, I think around 25 or so, for about 400,000 people. "And when we are talking about the Bedouin communities in the Negev [desert], they don't have any shelters or very few — so it's almost 95 per cent or even more that lack shelters." Mr Cohen-Lifshitz is a member of the Bimkom organisation, which lobbies government to change planning policies to ensure equity in public services such as shelters. He said development restrictions in Palestinian communities exacerbated the situation, and the lack of public funding through the national government and local municipalities is not flowing to such projects. While 7.30 was interviewing Mr Cohen-Lifshitz, warning sirens rang out and we needed to seek shelter in a school. One angry local resident raised concerns about the lack of air conditioning and disabled access to the shelter. The impact of the Israel-Iran war has seen houses damaged and destroyed by missiles which have slipped through Israel's sophisticated air defences, including the Iron Dome, David's Sling and Arrow. One missile hit a block of flats in northern Tel Aviv on Sunday morning local time, but the shock waves caused significant damage to buildings for hundreds of metres around the site. The windows of Daniel Bairey's home had been blown out. 7.30 met him as he was cleaning up the mess with his sons. His family had been sheltering in their safe room when the blast hit the area. The missile was fired just hours after US President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. "I've always had problems about Trump himself, but I have to admit that if the Democrats were trying to portray him as someone who was quick on the trigger, and someone who couldn't be trusted, I think he's acting in a very reasonable way," Mr Bairey, an American citizen said. "It's actually quite reassuring to know that we're not alone. He added that the concern about attacks against Israel were not a new phenomenon. "I can only tell you what my cousin in Haifa said. She was born here. She says, 'we've always been under an existential threat, so what's new?'" Mr Bairey said. "Honestly it's strange to say, but after a while … you get used to it." Back in the Carmel Market, that phrase — "existential threat" — echoed through the streets. "There is a really, really old line that we say. Like, 'If we don't have the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] today, tomorrow we're all dead," Tel Aviv resident Guy said. Watch 7.30, Mondays to Thursdays 7:30pm on ABC iview and ABC TV Do you know more about this story? Get in touch with 7.30 here.
Hans India
27-04-2025
- Hans India
Tel Aviv & Beyond: Discovering the heartbeat of Israel
No matter how much you read or how well you prepare for a visit to Israel, it will never be enough. This small yet remarkable country, stretching barely 100 km across and 300 km from north to south, invites you to travel from one end to the other in just a day — especially via the beautiful roads that connect its vibrant cities. Yet, once you arrive, Israel throws a cascade of surprises your way. From the vibrant cities and ancient heritage sites boasting thousands of years of history to the lush valleys, vast deserts, and the shimmering seas and rivers stretching out to its sometimes-unfriendly neighbours — every corner of Israel amazes. Despite challenges, Israel thrives in technology, agriculture, cuisine, and tourism. Though the war situation brought a lull, the country's spirit to return to normalcy shines bright. Israel's Biblical sites, historic temples, churches, and mosques naturally draw religious tourists. Yet beyond that, Israel offers a world of experiences — and for me, it all began in Tel Aviv, the country's modern, economic, and technological heart, built as late as 1909 on the outskirts of the ancient port city of Jaffa. Tel Aviv, a city of contrasts, offers the best of both worlds — modern and ancient, vibrant and laid-back, energetic and soulful. After a seven-hour flight from New Delhi, we landed at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport, named after the founding father and first Prime Minister of Israel. Our first stop: the charming Market House Hotel near the Jaffa Flea Market, built over the ruins of a Byzantine Chapel, offering a blend of history, hospitality, and hearty breakfasts served with stories. The streets of Jaffa Flea Market are a riot of colour, antiquity, and bustling energy, with vendors unloading treasures from their car trunks and artists adding splashes of creativity. By evening, the area transforms into a vibrant nightlife hub, with live music, eclectic cafes, and eateries like the famous Dr. Shakshuka. Every corner vibrates with life, and every bite tastes of tradition and innovation. Tel Aviv captures the very essence of Israel — a rich confluence of history and modernity. It all began at the ancient port of Jaffa, where over centuries, sailors and traders brought life and commerce. Walking through the narrow alleys and up the brick stairways of Jaffa is like walking through living history, while contemporary cafes and art galleries perch above the old stones, bridging the past and present. In Jaffa, Neve Tzedek's beautifully preserved buildings, the old railway station turned leisure hub, the art galleries, the religious monuments, and the St. Peter's Church overlooking the port make for an unforgettable exploration. Markets like Carmel Market and Levinsky Market buzz with local flavours and street food wonders like Burika, Falafel, and the melt-in-your-mouth Tahini Halwa. At Sarona Market, a newer, trendier addition near the historic German Templers Colony, modern retail mingles with preserved heritage. Nearby, the spirit of resilience pulses stronger than ever — where a protest site for Israeli hostages now stands, filled with art, poetry, and music — a living tribute to hope and solidarity. The Tel Aviv Museum of Art, the White City with its World Heritage tag, the Shalom Tower – a free museum offering bird eye view of the story of Tel Aviv and Jaffa, a tour the boulevards bursting with energy, fitness enthusiasts, and sunset watchers along the Mediterranean — Tel Aviv is a city you don't just see, you feel. And of course, there is the food. From the mouth-watering dishes at Abu' L' Afia and The Old Man and the Sea, to the creative genius at Romano by celebrated Chef Eyal Shani, to Tandoor by Reena Pushkarna, who brought Indian cuisine to Israeli palates — the city's culinary landscape is as diverse and rich as its culture. As the vegan capital of the world, Tel Aviv also offers endless delights for every taste and lifestyle. A visit to the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation brings the journey full circle — showcasing Israel's incredible achievements in technology, medicine, agriculture, and more. It is here you understand why Tel Aviv is called the world's startup hub and why Israel's spirit of innovation is a beacon for many. In every street, in every market, on every coastline, Israel pulses with a vibrant, beating heart — and Tel Aviv is where you hear it loudest.
