ROLENE MARKS

Boy has it been a rough 24 hours! here we go:

Shabbat day passed with barely a bleep giving us the impression that we were in for a quiet day. This all changed when Hamas issued us a not so friendly warning that they would be firing their latest acquisition missiles at Tel Aviv, 21h00 Saturday night.

And fire they did  – at Tel Aviv and surrounds and for the first time, salvos were launched at Modiin, setting off the siren and sending us scrambling into our shelters. Hearing the drone of the air raid siren is a very frightening experience. I have a safe room in my apartment and 90 seconds to grab my animal and phone and run. I couldn’t help but count my blessing while thinking of those that have to run to stairwells or random shelters. And please stop for 1 seconds for our residents who have just that time to seek shelter.

I had barely resurfaced when we had another siren and had to run again. Sitting in the shelter, taking much comfort from my fellow Modiin citizens all asking each other of we were okay and my friends and family in South Africa sending virtual hugs. They definitely do help.

This morning Modiin was rudely awakened at 6h03 by Hamas’ alarm clock and this time the booms were exceptionally loud and shook my building as Iron Dome did its thing. I just want to take a moment to salute the soldiers manning “Domey” who are not allowed to leave their towers and the Home Front Command who continue to brief us while conducting phone calls asking us if we are okay. This is Israel, we may squabble from time to time but we are family and look out for each other.

After the afternoon barrage at Tel Aviv and surrounds (yup, Hamas also have a “routine”) we hope for a quiet night. We have not started a ground offensive but our tanks are rolling South.

G-d Bless and keep us all safe.

 Rolene Marks made Aliyah in 2010 and lives in Modiin. She is a regular contributor to SAJR-Online and her BLOGS and OTHER WRITINGS can be found at these links. She is a member of SA’s Media Team Israel and she can be heard on Chai FM every Monday. Rolene will be in SA later this month to launch the brand new global Zionist Spring movement with Ruchama Avraham who will speak in CT on 22 & Joburg on 24 July. Admission is free but advanced RSVP is required from: info@zionistspring.org