Iran launches missiles attacks against Israel
Tal Friedlander emerged from a bomb shelter in central Israel to find his apartment entirely destroyed by an Iranian missile strike.
Despite the devastation, Friedlander expressed gratitude for being alive. “It’s only damage to property,” he told AFP reporter.
“I have to thank God that we are alive.”
The Iranian missile strike killed three people and wounded dozens, with many residents seeking shelter in bomb shelters until alerts were stood down.
Friedlander described the moment the missile hit, saying, “We quickly went into the shelter, and after a few minutes we heard a huge boom — we knew it was something severe.”
*Defiance in the Face of Adversity*
Israelis showed remarkable resilience and defiance in response to the attacks. Friedlander asserted, “They (Iran) want to destroy us. But we are strong… That’s the way it is, we have to keep going, defeat them, until the victory.”
Kobi Cohen, a resident of Rishon LeZion, echoed similar sentiments. Despite his shelter’s door being blown away by the impact of an explosion, Cohen prioritized the safety of his loved ones.
“All the windows, all the doors, all the glass of the windows burst but we survived thank God. That’s the most important thing,” he said.
*A Nation United*
The attacks came in retaliation to Israel’s massive strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities, which resulted in significant damage and loss of life. Israel’s military action aimed to destroy Iran’s defense capabilities and disrupt its nuclear program.
Despite the intensity of the conflict, many Israelis have become accustomed to such events due to previous attacks, including a missile barrage from Iran in April 2024.
Friedlander believes that Israel’s campaign in Iran will ultimately be beneficial.
“I think we’ve pretty much destroyed their plans of retaliation,” he said, referring to Israel’s unprecedented attack on Iran.
