War in Israel -- again.
 

For the past three hours Israel has been in a shooting war -- again. Hamas says it has fired 5000 rockets from Gaza, most aimed at the Israeli south and a smaller number at the country's center. There have also been reports of terrorist infiltrators from the West Bank. Where I live, in the far north of the country, it has been quiet so far but as Hezbollah (in Lebanon) is the best-armed of the terrorist groups, and has long said it will attack when it feels the time is ripe, the IDF is on high alert in the area.

I have no relatives living in areas which are most at risk and none in the north. Moreover at age 77, with nobody who depends on me, I consider myself to be among the most expendable and notified the community's head of security that if anyone needs to be taken for medical aid, or if the kibbutz needs a driver for any reason. that I am available and willing to drive anywhere.

While the IDF has (reportedly) already begun air operations against Gaza, and the entire nation is on "war alert" status, the government has not yet decided what action to take, it will be meeting this afternoon to decide what to do.

I am posting this on Community Buzz, and not on Omni, because I want this thread (as was the one in 2006) to be focused on how it impacks residents (on both sides of the border) and foreign tourists now in Israel or planning to come here. If you want to argue about who are the good guys and who are the bad guys, please open an Omni/PR thread for that.

I just received an email from the US Embassy in Jerusalem reading as follows:

Relatively quiet here in central Tel Aviv near Dizengoff Circle. 2 red alerts this morning and then a few this evening. One impact / interception very close to us was very loud. As we do not have safe rooms or a bomb shelter in our building, we are all hanging out in the stairwell. There’s also a parking garage across the street if anything ever got really serious.

We just cured our daughter’s jet lag from our America trip and now the terrorists are screwing it all up! At least we are safe and at home. It’s much worse in the south.

Hope all is well with you [MENTION=22696]Dovster[/MENTION]. I still owe you a visit sometime.

I would be scared to death to be driven around by someone who considers himself expendable :D

I hope you are safe and that the Hamas attack is not a distracting maneuver for a later attack from the North...

My thoughts are with you, Dovster.

Stay safe.

There are some flight cancellations, it seems...

I have been thinking about you all day and wondering how you are doing. Please keep us up to date. I am not on FT that often but thought this would be the best place to find you Dov. xoxodedehans

Actually, quite a few.So have United and Delta, according to CBS News.

This from a cousin in Kibbutz Yizre'el (in the northern part of Israel, near Afula for those familiar with the country's geography). The [...] is a redaction to stay on-topic for this thread. The cousin and his wife have five kids.

I appreciate long time FlyerTalkers Dovster and Mrp Alert letting us know they are safe. For any of you currently in Israel, please let us know how you are. For travelers, are you stranded in Israel? Are you attempting to visit Israel and now unable to do so?

Repeating Dov's guidelines for this thread:

Dovster, Mrp Alert and anyone else in the area, please keep us up to date on how you all are doing.

I should have said that my thoughts are also with you, Mrp Alert.

Stay safe — and please forgive my oversight.

I am also concerned for BEYFlyer, who is based in Beirut...

If there are any US visitors there now:

SHARE INFO: I’m getting many calls from US citizens visiting Israel trying to get home. Here is what we know so far.
1.Any US citizen in need of help please fill this out: https://cacms.state.gov/s/crisis-intake
2.This is best place I’ve found for flight info: https://www.flightradar24.com/airport/tlv/departures

https://x.com/AndyKimNJ/status/1711381047122743624?s=20

A Hamas rocket landed near the airport today....
Seems to be mostly El Al and Arkia flying, very few foreign airlines (unsurprisingly)

Be safe Dovster
 

If I recall correctly many years ago you gave us may updates on bombings near you. I hope all goes well. I am do to arrive there in 3 weeks. Hopefully , all has calmed down before that.

As a public service to fellow members of FlyerTalk:

• The original discussion back in 2006 to which the Dovster referred: FlyerTalk scoops the world with news report!
• Discussion of what is currently going on in Israel and surrounding areas for those who have earned access to the OMNI/PR forum: Hamas - Israel conflict

In addition, various airline forums on FlyerTalk include the latest travel alerts pertaining to Tel Aviv.

Unlike what happened in 2006, the Army has ordered all communities near the Northern border to be evacuated. I am currently in my daughter's house which is considerably further south. I do not know if I m any safer here as she, her husband, and their daughter all have Corona right now.

We are presently deciding what to do as it is one of our most difficult situations we have ever faced. Last two conflicts, my wife was ready to turn around and head back to USA when I reminded her that this was our home. The order of magnitude of this war has flipped us. I believe that the level of destruction and mayhem headed our way will exceed anything Israel has experienced in the last 50 years. While we would be spared the brunt of it here in Central Tel Aviv, my job as a parent to try to keep my family and protected as possible. Leaving for a little bit while the conflict occurs is not failure or giving up - its pragmatism for a family who does not have a direct role in the conflict. Regardless, we are not unified on our decision and will not go anywhere until we both agree on the proper course of action. I do not have good answers only miles and points that only work if there are planes flying with available seats.

As for those trying to find their way home, few international airlines will continue flying here. If you book on a non-Israeli airline, book a backup on ElAl, Arkia, or Israir. Please remember to cancel the flight if you do not use it. They all have relaxed change/cancellation policies in effect right now. Dan's Deals has a useful thread for finding flights out of tlv. My method is a bit simpler, but based upon a similar approach.

https://oldmatrix.itasoftware.com or https://matrix.itasoftware.com then use each of the following. Do note that there is some overlap.
LY Destination
IZ Destination
6H Destinations
TUS, Smartwings, and Pegasus were the next best after the Israeli airlines, but I am not current on their cancellations today.
[MENTION=22696]Dovster[/MENTION] stay healthy and strong. Thank you to the friends who have reached out here and elsewhere to check in on me & my family. We are blessed to have a great community around us and also blessed to have been spared much of the horror that you see retold on social media and cable news.

Praying for safety for you all and for all in the region. Thank you for the updates. I remember the last time in 2006 and was very grateful for the news. May you have much wisdom in making decisions.

Around a half hour ago, the peace of the last 36 hours in Tel Aviv was broken. We had the heaviest rocket barrage in 10 years. 15-20 minutes later, another heavy attack. Now, all is quiet again.

I hope you and family looking to fly out.....I see you know those airlines coming in and out of TLV. Praying for you all over there.

Oh no!
Praying for your safety Dov....you and family be careful. The news coming our way is not good and I guess a few airlines are evacuating people. Read over your 2006 report and guess I am glad Dementia not with you this time....or is she? Wherever I hope she is safe and well too.

Thanks for the update Dov, glad to hear you are "safe".

Dovster, I found out about this thread on the one in bad Omni when I asked about you. Glad you and the others in the region are safe so far. Hoping you stay that way.

I personally am a fan of Corona. But no fan of COVID. :D Hopefully your family heals up, and tell them to get some better beer. I'll send you some good local central Oregon brew if that helps! Stay safe!

Stay safe, Dov (and others who might be in harm's way).

Stay safe, all.

Stay safe Dov.

Stay safe.
Dumb question, what is their reasoning for evacuating the northern border when the fighting is in the south? Are they worried about attacks from other countries? And are they evacuating all border areas?

I will not get any details (others can do it in Bad Omni) but there is a possibility that Hezbollah will attack Israel. That is why the northern communities, especially the smaller ones, were evacuated.

I would think due to the threat from Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Chaya (her real name -- I never referred to her as "Dementia" anywhere except on FT) passed away in 2018. She was 65-years-old and the hospital initially diagnosed her as having pneumonia. A few days later, when there was no improvement despite the antibiotics, a further test showed she had cancer, and three days later she died. While she was not a famous person, she was well-known and liked in our immediate area. Her funeral was attended not only by Jews but also by Christian and Muslim Arabs.

I am sorry to hear this. You and family obviously loved her a lot. Thanks to responding to my reference. RIP Chaya.

I hope everyone is safe and wishing peace to the area.

Thank you [MENTION=22696]Dovster[/MENTION] for starting this thread. Stay safe.
[MENTION=81277]Mrp Alert[/MENTION] - stay safe and thank you for the updates.

Keeping you and the whole region in my thoughts

Thank you for sharing what's going on. You know I'm thinking of you & your family.

And thanks to Dov for starting the thread.

It appears that paragliding terrorists under the cover of rocket fire are attempting an invasion far north of Israel. This is the area where my father was born and my grandfather worked as well asDovster home. This marks a new phase of the war. BEYFlyer take some precautions as there will surely be a response.

All of Israel north of Haifa was sent to shelters about 30 minutes ago. My daughter's house is slightly north of Haifa, so we had to go in her security room. Right now, we are released from them but are ordered to stay in our houses.

Details are hazy during the fog of war. Now the paragliders or small fixed engine aircraft apparently did not have passengers aboard. Either way, it’s notable that these originated in Lebanon.

Hi. I generally do not post here but since you asked, here I am. I've lived in Israel for many decades, but frequently flying back to the USA. It's ironically been quiet where I live, a community in Shomron, as it has been in previous skirmishes. The country is torn, in great distress over the details of the attack on Saturday, which incidentally is Shabbat (the Sabbath & in this case also a holiday, Simchat Torah). Several family members have been called up, and a couple more have been notified to pack a bag & be ready for their call - despite that they have 2 small children. In that eeventuality we will probaby be on babysitting duty. Schools are closed. I heard a little while ago that school is about to resume remotely. The university semester that usually opens this coming week has been postponed. Due to the mass shopping rush for everyone to have their pantries full, there is a bit of a shortage in the supermarkets - despite being told repeatedly that the food supply is fine. But despite these hardships (& some more I didn't mention) the morale here is high, very high. As a whole the citizenry just can't find enough opportunities to volunteer to, to do the most they can for this national effort to protect the homeland. Which is also a factor of the food shortage. Thousands have gone down to the Gaza region, laden, cars & trucks laden with food & treats, toiletries & personal items all to engulf the soldiers with love and appreciation. I could go on & on going into more detail, but I'll refrain from rambling. I'll end this by saying that there is no question that we'll be victorious. The issue is the extent of the heavy cost.