Hi everyone. I’m Shanna Fuld, a citizen of Israel originally from Queens, New York, and I’ve been living in Israel for nearly five years now. Today, I find myself shaken in a way I’ve never experienced, even during previous attacks from Hamas.
The day began quietly for me. Observing Shabbat and the holiday, I kept my cell phone turned off until 10:30 am when I went to synagogue as usual. It wasn’t until later that I learned we were under attack. The streets seemed unusually quiet during my walk, but I attributed it to the serenity of the holiday morning.
Our prayer service was solemn yet strong. We read from the Torah and prayed fervently for the safety of the Israeli army.
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Unaware of the full extent of the attack, I ventured for a lunch with friends. The atmosphere was tense, and news trickled in slowly as we refrained from using our phones.
Returning home, I hesitated to check my phone, fearing the truth of the day. Soon after, the sirens blared, signaling rocket incursions from Gaza. Tel Aviv, now a target, faced the brunt of Hamas’ aggression.
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I found myself rushing to the stairwell multiple times as rockets descended, the explosions a grim reminder of the danger. A former neighbor shared footage of the aftermath—a car ablaze, buildings damaged, and the relentless wait in bomb shelters.
As I sit at home, without a bomb shelter, I scour through reports, typing away, trying to make sense of the chaos while nibbling on spicy olives to keep my mind alert.
