Missile Alerts and Evacuations Amidst Uncertain Ceasefire
Morning of Confusion
The piercing shriek of alarms shattered the pre-dawn quiet in Tel Aviv, jolting residents from sleep. At 5:12 a.m., phones emitted a jarring warning of incoming missiles from Iran. The accompanying text message delivered an “Extreme alert,” urging immediate shelter. As dawn broke over the coastal city, the unsettling reality of the situation became apparent.
Turning on the television, the news reported a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, as announced by US President **Donald Trump**. Moments later, the hotel intercom instructed everyone to seek refuge in the nearest bomb shelter. The seeming contradiction between the declared truce and the ongoing alerts created a surreal atmosphere.
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“They’ve been messaging us, they are very worried,”
—Ilana, Parent
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have reported intercepting most of the rockets. According to data from the United Nations, approximately 10,000 rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel since 2001 (UN 2024).
Evacuation Efforts
Outside the hotel, tour buses prepared to evacuate Australian and Canadian citizens. The underground conference center was transformed into a processing hub, managed by the Australian ambassador to Israel, **Ralph King**. Around 120 people were expected to fly to Dubai, though the volatile situation made it uncertain.
Among those waiting for evacuation were the **Lewis** family, who had traveled to Ashkelon to visit relatives. They had spent two weeks in bomb shelters due to the ongoing rocket attacks. **Ilana** shared her family’s concerns, stating, “They’ve been messaging us, they are very worried.”
Her family back home watched the news with anxiety.
A decision was more complex for some dual nationals. Some Australian-Israeli citizens, with deeper roots in Israel, chose to stay. Like the evacuations from Beirut the previous year, there was a high no-show rate.
The day’s events revealed a mix of fear, resilience, and uncertainty. The situation underscores the persistent dangers faced by those living in the region.
