Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Childhood memories under rockets

Hello readers,
I know that you want to hear directly what its like living under the fire of rockets, how it is like to grow up with fear of death every single day for 14 years. I decided to share with you some of my memories growing up this way, since the first rocket at 2001 (I was almost 10 years old).

So here it goes:
The first time
I remember it was evening and I was at my friend's backyard we were playing.
We didn't hear that rocket falling but my friend's father called us to get inside the house quickly.
It was on the news, our small city Sderot, back in the days it was so small that hardly anyone heard about it. The reporters were talking about rocket hitting Sderot launched from Gaza.
And I? Coudln't understand, couldn't process it. Why would anyone will try to fire rocket at us?
What should I do now? How will I get home now? Its evening, its dark outside, and honestly I am afraid from another rockets being fired maybe hitting me.
After about 15 minutes just standing there looking at the TV screen but not really watching or listening, I tell my friend I have to go but I am afraid. He decides to walk with me (our houses aren't that far). We go outside we start walking and in the middle of the way we start to hear shootings. Its the first time I heard that sound, piercing through the night. We froze for a second didnt know what to do. We decided to split and we both run to our homes. Man I ran faster than Forest Gump. The next day at school, needless to say everyone talked about this. Everyone were confused. Many were still shaken by this. That night marked the change of our city and the change of our lives.

Guess what, your home exploded, or not
I remember that morning, I was about to enter school when I heard explosions. 
At this point, its nothing new hearing rockets explode in Sderot. Well, what can I do? I go to class.
Than all our teachers start sending all of us to the school shelters. The teachers talk to themselves mostly, we know its because rockets hit Sderot this morning. I remember they brought a TV and VCR and they put Lion King on for us to distract us. But kids will be kids and the rumors game started,
Eventually I get a rumor that the rocket hit my house and there are possible injuries. Guess what? You don't have a smartphone, the teachers don't tell you anything, you ask around and some kids confirm this rumors while others say something different.
In the meanwhile many parents come to take their kids home.  Others call the teachers to check up if their children okay. Time goes by, no contact from my parents, with all those thoughts running through my head of a rocket hitting my home. Its one of the worst times in my childhood I recall.
I somehow got a cellphone from another kid and called home. Well guess what? my parents were okay
they thought the school will know how to deal with us so they were not worried too much about me.
Apparently, that day the rocket hit a house only few meters from my school. Literally there is a fence between the school and the the house back yard.

The first one killed by rocket was a 4 year old child, right after him a 49 year old
I remember that day, it was summer vacation for me between 8th to 9th grade.
I remember hearing the explosions. It fell close to the kindergarden that is also near my elementry school. I remember everyone freaking out that day a 4 year old, Afik Zehavi-Ohayon died, His mother was injured severly, also a 49 year old man Mordechai Yosepov died by the same hit. May they both rest in peace. It was very harsh day, Its hard to describe the atmosphere. Me and my family were getting phonecalls all day long from friends and family all over.
2 weeks ago, a friend of mine that literally lives near where it happened told me the details of that day (he witnessed everything). Seriously, if there's a hell this is how it feels and this is how it looks.

Drag people to shelter under fire
So now its not a specific case but many different cases, in Junior high and in High school.
I never really gave it to much thought until lately when I was asked in interviews about growing up in Sderot under rockets fire.
So it took few years before we got the Code Red alarm (originally it was named "Red Dawn").
It was supposed to help us know its time to get cover or run for shelter if possible.
I
The problem was, that after years growing up and living with this stress, and now the added stress from hearing the alarm (which is an anchor that activates the same symptoms people have after rockets hitting or seeing people get injured or even die).
Some people had so hard time dealing with this that people actually fainted in place. 
So I remember times when us (teenagers 12 to 18) and teachers sometimes had to drag people to shelters because they fainted outside. And remember we had 15 seconds or less to do so.
Its sounds really crazy for me thinking about this now. But this is our reality, this is how we had to grow up. We had no choice.

Remember, This is our reality for 14 years. Many children, teenagers and even young adult don't know a different reality than this. This is what they are growing to. Because of Hamas and other terrorists organizations in Gaza. It has to stop now.

Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

conflict #hashtags meanings and celebrities

Hello readers,
So I have decided to write so soon after the last post because its time for people to understand some 
of the meaning of the hashtags going around in facebook and twitter and why some celebrities were actually dumb to use them.

#FreePalestine - The meaning of this hashtag quite simply means: Israel should not exist, exterminated the Jewish state. You see, the bast majority in the muslim and particularly in the arab world calls the land of Israel "palestine", and basicly saying "free palestine" means there is a state that should not exist there, thus its call for the extermination of the Jewish homeland and only country (in our rightful home).

Rihanna tweeted this but soon enough deleted it. Why? probably because she has no understanding of whats going on in this conflict and escalation, and when she figured out what she said she regreted and tried to minimize damages. Rihanna visited Israel few times in the past few years holding concerts.

Zayin Malik (one direction) also tweeted this hashtag. Zayin a muslim from pakistani heritage. Many pakistanis have anti-Israel views, and they know what the hashtag really means. It is possible, that he shares those views, and he decides to keep his tweet on. Hindu-Indians and Muslim-Pakistanis have their own debates about this conflict while most Indians pro-Israel and Pakistanis are anti-Israel. (Yeah pakistanis are more about anti-Israel, anti-west ideology, not pro palestinian do not make this mistake).


#PrayForGaza - A call to pray for Gaza. Praying about what? this "hashtag" basicly means that only people in Gaza are hurt and suffer, and it implies its someone outside fault, someone like Israel.
Yeah, so like we proved again and again, Hamas kill its own, and when he doesn't he puts them in the line of fire. They are human shields that Hamas are responsible for their death. Also Hamas don't want to cease its fire. But wait, if you pray for Gaza, why dont you pray for Sderot and Israel, what about the children that died in Israel because of Hamas? what about the children that lived under the threat of rockets for 14 years? What about the 3 teenagers kidnapped and murdered last month by Hamas?
Its pretty stupid and hypocrite to pray for only one side if you want peace and humanity for all.

Selena Gomez was ignorant and un affected by the loss,  suffering and tragedy on the Israeli side. She prayed for Gaza and when she learned she is ignorant like her friends. Its not about just being trendy (because its seems most celebrities tweet what seems trendy without further exploration and studying not because their opinions are actually solid and based on something)
She then corrected this for praying for all humanity and peace. 

#GazaUnderAttack - So this hashtag basicly says Gaza is under Attack from the outside. Its based on the #IsraelUnderFire hashtag really. So is Gaza is the target of the attacks? No. Hamas is the target of Israeli attacks. Who choose to put his facilities, rocket launchers, weapons storage, and hide and fight from a city and populated areas? Hamas did! They chose the battleground. Who put civilians in the line of fire? Hamas. Who destroyed schools, hospitals and neighborhood by their own fire in the last few days? Hamas. Yeah Gaza is under Hamas attack.


So those are the main anti-israel hashtags - used ignorantly by naive and ignorant people, or maliciously by pro-terrorists. Their major goals are:
1. Associate and link between Hamas the terrorist organization and the palestinian people. The palestinians don't want Hamas themselves anymore. Hamas don't protect the palestinians, they dont fight for them, they fight to kill Jews and destroy Israel, and according to Mossab Yousef a former high-ranking Hamas officer and the son of one of its founding members the end goal of Hamas is to destroy western civilization and create a new Islamic caliphate.
2. De-legitemize Israel, its existence and its right to defend itself. They try to portray Israel as the offensive side, ignoring facts like Hamas refusal for peace with Israel or acknowledging Israels existence,  Hamas escalated this situation, Hamas killing palestinians and using other as human shields, Hamas trying to commit a genocide to the Jewish people. They ignore the fact that Israel is trying to disarm Hamas, Israel wants to end this conflict, Israel do all it can to save lives in both sides, Israel protecting its citizens.

So now you know more about the anti-Israel and pro-terror hashtags. Don't fall to this trap.

#IsraelUnderFire #StopHamas #SaveTheChildrenofGazaFromHamas #StopTerror

Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort




Hamas publicly kill palestinians

Hello readers,
So, Hamas aren't even trying to hide the fact that they kill palestinians themselves.




Also another thing not reported yet by global media, Hamas also killed 2 palestinians and injured dozens while buying food.

Yeah, So on official levels, Hamas kill palestinians, also un-officialy they actually fired rockets at their own schools, hospitals and neighborhoods in the last few days.

And more over than that, they sacrfice palestinians civlians, including women and children as human shields to protect their own facilities and officers:

Hamas is trying to commit double genocide. They want to kill all the Jews, and in the same time killing palestinians.

So seriously, if you want peace, if you want to stop the bloodshed, STOP HAMAS! STOP TERROR!

Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort

Monday, July 28, 2014

Israelis killed by Hamas rocket and also palestinians were killed by Hamas rockets

Hello readers,
So much things happened today and in the last few hours here.
5 soldiers were killed today. 4 of them by a rocket hit in Israel, many were injured. May they rest in peace.
Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel through terror tunnels today, their attack was thwarted.

Hamas tried to fire rockets at Israel today and hit Al-shifa hospital and Al-shati refugee camp.

It is proved that on July 24th Hamas is the one who shot 16 palestinians at the UNRWA school in beit hanooun neighborhood.

Hamas is a dangerous, evil, terrorist and criminal organization that needs to be stopped. No country will allow to its citizens to live under threat of rockets or murderous terrorists. Since 2001 Israel is under the fire of rockets from Gaza by Hamas and their friends. Israel tries to save lives, while Hamas tries to destroy. Israel Accepted 4 ceasefires since the beginning of the operation and followed through. Hamas kept shooting rockets at Israel. Even prior to Protective Edge Israel asked from Hamas to stop.
Israel warned the residents of Gaza to evacuate. Israel treats sick and injured in both a field hospital they opened in Gaza and in Israeli hospitals. Hamas encourage civilians to act as human shields, and using the hospitals in Gaza as launching pads. They even shoot their own hospitals. If you want to stop this bloodshed YOU GOT TO STOP HAMAS.


And the hypocrisy of the world just killing me. Here is the kicker that no one tells you:
All that nonesense by different states blaming Israel for disproportional response?
Do you know how many military officers from the same states are actually right now sitting near IDF officers, to learn the same techniques and strategies used now, for their effectivness, accuracy, morals, and more? They want to copy this same techniques and strategy for their own confilicts. And when this operation will end, they will keep sending their soldiers to Israel to train and learn from our troops. 

Now on personal news:
Today I joined another Sderot Media Center activity, I will probably post about it tommorrow.
Today I was also interviewed for one of NBC's channels, if they will upload it I link it don't you worry :)

Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort



Sunday, July 27, 2014

Sexy Selfies: Standing with IDF campaign of modern day pin-up girls

Hello readers,
I am going to talk about the fast growing trend of sexy selfies supporting the IDF soldiers.
The facebook page "Standing with IDF" started that buzz and I got in touch with the man behind it and asked him to tell about his campaign.

Gavriel Beyo is a 27 years old owns a small advertising company and an investments company.
He is experienced in marketing online and offline, in Israel and abroad, and also expertise in branding.

Gavriel told me about the campaign: I started it. I reached few of my amazing friends for the first photos and thats how it started. I got the idea after I received a photo of someone I dated in the past. I then remembered the old "pin-up girls" photos soldiers used to look at before they were sent to battle.
The page and the campaign have goals to help in Hasbara and also raise the morale of the soldiers. This were the main goals. I wanted to show that Israel is not just about rockets and terror and I wanted to romanticize the IDF. It worked, we got alot of support from abroad even by non-Jewish, all over the world. We wanted the soldiers in the front lines to know we support them and also to give them a little distraction from the battlefield. It also worked, we got tens of thousands of likes, and thousands of "thank you" messages.  We also decided to use the campaign for more objective like fundraising and getting help for different needs of the soldiers. We got over 30,000 likes in 3 days and we have been covered in global media, so yeah, we reached our goals. I hope that we have more goals and reach even larger audiences soon.
The reason so many women keep taking explicit pictures of themselves for this campaign is patriotism, supporting the soldiers and also taking part in the effort of IDF.
I think the page and the campaign became so popular in such short time because we market both the most moral army in the world with the most beautiful women in the world.
As for reporters claiming that people feel less intersted in sex and have less sex activity because of the escalation, I can understand. Personally, I felt down, and my campaign is a way I try to help in some way. Did it work? from the responses its seems that yes. Personally, I am in relationships so I don't deal with the photos. I have volunteers to manage to content. The Main editor is the amazing Yafit Duer. They are amazing and invested alot of time from their own free time for this project. They also have conversations with soldiers, and Yafit also decided to show her face.  




I then asked Gavriel if the campaign have influence on people opinions and he answered:
Wow!!! Yes! For example a pakistani who had a cover photo "Stand with Gaza" with hands covered in blood he changed it to a cover photo of "I Stand with Israel", and countless more around the world.

I later asked him why in the last few hours the page is down and Gavriel said: We keept it a secret for now, prepare for a surprise :)

Gavriel, I want to thank you so much for sharing and wish you good luck with the campaign! 

Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort

Noad "Neo" Lahat returns victorious from the UFC cage to the front lines against Hamas

Hello readers,
Before our post few updates:
1. Hamas broke ceasefire yesterday.
2. Israel exapnded ceasefire in 4 hours (with willing to expand for another 24 hours) - than Hamas shoot more rockets at Israel.
3. Hamas requested today a 24 ceasefire for a muslim holiday. Israel agreed to their request. Hamas broke that ceasefire as well shooting more rockets.
4. Israeli Border Guard near Jerusalem thwarted a terror attack security personnel at checkpoint stop suspect with large explosive device, several gas cylinders in vehicle.
5. 42 IDF soldiers were killed in action. May they rest in peace.

Now for the post:


Noad "Neo" Lahat won a UFC battle last night (against Steven Siler).
Noad told after his victory about the last 2 months in training, worrying for his family and friends back home (Israel). He tells about his sister serving as paramedic and his brother as special forces. Hes younger brother being drafted in a year. How his grandmother have about 15 seconds to get to a shelter because of rockets.
Noad suffered from insults on his social media accounts by pro-hamas and anti-israel crowd.
Noad is a proud Israeli, a professional athelete and fighter, and a reservist paratrooper in the IDF.
Noad we all wish you the best, return safely to your family from the war against Hamas, and keep representing Israel in the MMA sport.
r

Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort






Saturday, July 26, 2014

Get to see Sderot Media Center's work

Hello readers, 
So I am a little bit late but I will share with you some of the work done by Sderot Media Center
to share the reality of living under the threat of rockets for over a decade.
But first few updates:
1. Israel accepted a ceasefire today between 8 AM to 8 PM.
2. Foreign worker was murdered by Hamas rockets couple days ago. May he rest in peace.
3. 36 IDF soldiers killed in action. The MIA soldier was now officially decalred dead by the IDF. May they rest in peace.
4. 150 Hamas' terrorists surrendered themselves to IDF couple of days ago.

Now, get a glimpse to some of Sderot Media Center work.


NOTE: PHOTOS WERE TAKEN BY ME. USE ONLY WITH CREDIT TO ME AND LINK TO THE BLOG.
Couple of days ago I joined my friends from SMC Kosta Monastirsky and Yaniv Friedman
while reporters from the USA came to Sderot to see in their own eyes whats going on.
Kosta lead the tour.

We began at the Sderot PD, in their "rockets museum" collection of hundreds of rockets that fell in Sderot over the years.
Kosta briefed about the rockets, what are they made, their development over the years, radius of imapct, and how different terror groups mark them to get themselves "street cred"/making name for themselves and building their reputation among the other groups.



Later we continued to a home hit by a rocket 2 days prior to the reporters visit. The Iron Dome didn't intercept that time. There were children in the house. Except from a lady and a very young baby everyone got to the shelter. It was a miracle that the lady nor the baby were not hurt that time.
The reporters were shocked by the damage to the house, inside and outside, discussed with the resident (a widow mother) and her challange and trouble with this situation going for years, and now that her home was ruined by a rocket.


Later on we continued to the famous hill from where all the reporters like to report, and show the gaza border. The Hill was empty, the reporters were down while the cameras kept rolling.

rThose reporters standing down the hill wore vests for protection.
We get up to the hill to show them how close gaza is (in straight line its about half a mile)
We talk about the closeness, the rockets range, and also, the terror tunnels used in the previous days to infiltrate to Israeli towns by Hamas' and the threat it pose to Israeli civilians. 
While we were talking Code Red Alarm was going on. Near by we had no shelter only seconds to get cover. We ran down a little bit, layed down on the ground, cover our heads and waited to what comes next. Apparently this time the rockets were intecepted successfully. 
The reporters got a real taste of life under rocketss threat.

ISo tell me, what would you do if rockets were fired over a decade at your city? What would you do if terrorists enter your town through tunnels to massacare and slaughter everyone? Its time to stop terror, STOP HAMAS!

Stay tuned for more posts, news, details, experiences and photos.
Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort


Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Know the difference

Hello readers,
Not a long post today, probably tommorrow.
This is week the Sderot Media Center (or the Media Center in the most fortified city in the world) are working hard as usual. Many reporters, diplomats and politicians from around the world are coming.
They come to witness, and hear and speak with the people who have to live under the threat of rockets, and terrorists getting in through tunnels for over a decade.
Today, I joined a news crew from USA. We had our action as well. I will post about it tommorrow and post pictures I took.
The next few days I might find myself busy again.

On other news: 32 IDF soldiers have been killed in action so far. 1 is still missing (Hamas claims they kidnapped him)

And here I want to let you know the difference

Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Awake at nights

Hello readers,
Yesterday I didnt post but it was a crazy day here in Sderot and the surroundings.
Terrorists dressed as IDF soldiers infiltrated Israel through tunnels HEAVILY ARMED FROM HEAD TO TOES.
Fortunatley their attack was thwarted 10 of them were killed. Unfortunatley some IDF soldiers were killed and injured. 
Right now we know 27 IDF soldiers were killed in action (may them rest in peace) and one is missing in action for 3 days. Hamas claims they kidnapped him.
Yesterday was the funeral of Sean Carmeli. He immigrated to Israel from texas 3 years ago.
He was a lone soldier. his friends from Macabi Haifa FC fans called people to come to his funeral so there will be atleast 10 men over 13 to complete a "Minyian". Over 20,000 from all over Israel answered that call.

Awake at nights 

A piece about what happened yesterday that went viral in Hebrew on facebook:

I am awake at nights.
Every night for about a month, especially for the last few days.
No, its not because its summer, or because I am such a party animal.
Its not because I work nightshifts to make a living.
Me and tens of thousands of people, from day old babies, to grey haired 3 digits aged people, Jews, Christians and Muslims, Israelis and Foreigners are in a WARZONE. Not on the sidelines, but IN THE BATTLEFIELD.
Not only that rockets are fired on us at nights, the sounds of explosions, the battle between the IDF and Hamas, the shockwaves.
How can I describe the shockwaves? Your house is shaking (like an earthquake).
All your windows are about to be shattered to pieces, and so is all glasses in the house. Doors of the rooms and closets are about to be ripped from their hinges.
And literally there is nothing you can do about it. 
Yeah, take all your family to a small crowded shelter. It will not make the shockwaves and explosions sounds go away.
So instead I sit, and think, and read, and write, and watch trash tvshows in online streaming.
Just to make myself tired, make my body to surrenders to the SandMan that will send me to sleep.
And suddenly this night (note: night before last night) I fell to sleep. 4 precious and priceless hours of sleep, Interrupted by the sound of machineguns. It sounds close. Very close. Very. Close.
In the next couple of hours the details were revealed. 2 Squads of Hamas' terrorists infiltrated Israel through tunnels. They were the amount of a small company. Only couple of miles from my home! 
They were heavily armed, from head to toe. Murder was their motivations. The smell of innocent children blood filled their noses as they came closer. 
The battlefield is not only in Gaza. Sderot, and the towns, kibbutzs, villages surrounding Sderot are part of this battleground.
I am proud that in my side of this conflict, I am not used as a human shield, I am the human being shielded. And although this nights are horrifying, horrible and full of stress, fear and anxiety, I am willing to endure. Because this sounds of struggle and fight are the sounds of a battle for my life. 
I want the IDF will beat the Hamas' terrorists. I don't want that in the future the soldiers will have to deal with bigger danger by Hamas. 
I am awake at nights, I could've been dead.

Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort



Sunday, July 20, 2014

I lost 15 relatives today

Hello readers,
Im sad because when I woke up today I found out 15 relatives of mine died.
No, not really my relatives, you have to be Israeli to understand this kind of grief, but I will do my best to explain.

Israel and the Israelis are different kind of people, different values order, different mentality.
See, despite our differences and disagreements we are grown to see each other as brothers in spite of everyyhing, the most used word in Hebrew is "Achi" literally "my brother".
In our mandatory service we feel this bond stronger than ever. It is said that the IDF is the fusion point of Israeli society. You meet different people you never thought you will, you make strong bonds with them. What you share with them us the symbols and experiences you go together.
Moreover, soldiers in Israeli culture are viewd as either your brothers and sisters your sons and daughters. Even if you never met them. They are respected for their hardwork and sacrifices. 
Today I woke up to the deaths of 2LT. Bar Rahav and SGT. Benaya Roval.
Later or on rummors spread about 13 soldiers from the Golani brigade that died. Around 06:30 pm Israel time it was officially published. Their names were not published but my friends knew 2 of them.
Golani brigade commander Colonel Rasan Aliyan (he is Druze btw) was injured in action and hospitalized but demands to return to his soldiers, his children ASAP.
Golani itself is the oldest infantry brigade in the IDF. Their symbol is the olive tree. The loss of 13 soldiers from same brigade especially this brigade felt like a bullet to the heart to many citizens.
So far 18 soldiers died in Gaza.
I know you cant understand why and how this is so painful, like losing your family but I hope I gave you a glimpse.

Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort

Hamas manipulating media with photographs

Hello readers,
Its night here, but I can't sleep. There are loud explosion sounds and shockwaves that make my home including windows and doors shake. Honestly its frightening. I am afraid that while I will sleep I will be hurt by my window glass if it breaks. So I keep writing my papers to college or catching up on social media.

I don't know if I have told you, but I study culture, creation and production.

One of the courses I took this semester was about Stories and Narratives. 
And in this course we learned about stories, narratives what makes them, about the reader taking part in the process by processing details, filling in blanks, arousing his emotions and empathy, activating prior knowledge or experience. Story or narrative doesnt only have to be a text as in written text. It can be picture, photograph or movie.
You know who really is good at story telling? Hamas. 

So let me tell you how Hamas manipulating media with photographs
Hamas and their supporters work very hard over the internet, social/new media and news to tell a story, delievering a specific message to the world. Their agenda is to protray Israel as bad and themselves as defenders of palestinians. Although the facts speak for themselves, they had luck in the past and present, they had success manipulating the media and peoples mind.

So how they do it?
#1 Well first of all they use photographs that activate empathy and emotions.
Some of the photographs are staged, some of the photographs are from other places (syria/iraq/lebanon), some are very old, and some are "authentic".


#2 Triggering emotions is the most powerful motivator for someone to interpret a picture as a narrative, story or if you will as a fact. They add some details. Such as people injured in Gaza.
Now let me remind you many of those pictures are actually either taken from movies like final destination, staged, or from another country. But still saying this is from Gaza, they trigger your emotion and associate it with what happens in Gaza.

#3 Not sharing the whole details. They don't share the fact that they started escalation against Israel and target Israeli civilians. They don't mention they didn't agree to ceasefire twice and broke the third they "agreed" to. They don't mention that the IDF asked multiple times from citizens to evacuate and they avoid hitting civilians as much as possible. They don't mention they threatend civilians that if they evacuate after the IDF asked them, that Hamas will later on kill them. They don't mention how they ask civilians to ask as human shields. No, They don't share the details because they want you to "fill in blanks". Yes, They Trigger your emotions, Associated it to prior knowledge about Gaza, and the fact that Israel is running operation, but "forgot" to mention their responsibility for wanting to fight Israel, and that they refused cease fire before and during Israel operation, or using human shields, some of them children, in many cases against their will.

#4 They flood the internet and social media with those pictures hundred of thousands of time. They want people to forget or not to look up to most of this pictures and accepting them as "true" and delievering their "story" to as many people as possible. 


So now you understand a little bit how Hamas use photographs for manipulating media and masses.
Share the truth!

Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort 

Saturday, July 19, 2014

2 Soldiers murdered by Hamas this morning may the rest in peace

Hello readers,
As I said Im keeping you posted as much as I can.
I am very sad to say that 2 soldiers were murdered this morning by Hamas terrorists in the morning
when Hamas infilitrated Israel to massacare civilians. Their attempt was thwarted. But 2 soldiers died.

photo from Ynet website

The first is Major (reservist) Amotz Greenberg 46 years old from Hod HaSharon, father of 3. May he rest in peace. 

The Second is Sergeant Adar Barsano 20 years old from Naharia. May he rest in peace.

Earlier today as I mentioned a 32 year old civilian was murdered by a rocket. May he rest in peace.

I hope no more innocent will die. HAMAS MUST BE STOPPED!

Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort

Hamas murders a man, his children injured. Hamas tried to commit another massacare in Israel.

Hello dear readers,
Today a rocket launched by Hamas hit a Bedouin (Muslim) family near Dimona.
The Father 32 year old, died (may he rest in peace). Baby couple of months old injured severly. 4 year old injured as well, and 2 other women injured in the same hit.

Also, soldiers were injured again. Some of them injured while thwarting an infiltration through terror tunnel by Hamas. Again, Hamas used tunnel to infilitrate to Israel, heavly armed to commit a massacare in an Israeli town.

Let's pray for the speed recovery of the civilians and soldiers hurt by Hamas.

Hamas fires indiscriminatley. They target civilians and children. They don't care if you are a Jew, Muslim, Christian or something else. They don't fight for muslims, They don't fight for palestinians.
They fight because they are bloodthirsty. Because they are violent. Because they love war and death.
They always mention the fact that they love death, they teach children in Gaza to love death, they teach them violence, they educate them to become suicide bombers. 
How can a sane, normal person side with this kind of people?
STOP TERROR! STOP HAMAS! SAVE CHILDREN OF BOTH SIDES!
UNRWA strongly condemns placement of rockets in school

Also, Hamas seems to again exploit animals for terrorists attacks.
IDF reported the use of an explosive donkey by Hamas.
Not only that Hamas rockets hit civilians, they have killed many animals in the Israeli side, caused them trauma and damage, now they exploit animals in Gaza for their terrorist attacks.

Really I don't know how to explain it to you people. Hamas must be stopped. They don't care for any living thing. They are literally out of their minds. Targeting civilians, using human sheilds, educating for suicide, death and violence, exploiting animals and killing them. They are psycopaths.

I will do my best to keep you in the loop of what's happening in here.
Again, my thoughts and prayers are with the civilians and the soldiers, hopes your's too.

Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort

Friday, July 18, 2014

Ground phase of "protective edge" have started, RIP Staff Sergeant Eitan Barak

Hello dear readers,
Last night the IDF ground forces entered Gaza to destroy the terror tunnels used to infiltrate to Israel
for killing spree's and kidnapping of civilians.
Sgt. Eitan Barak a 20 year old from Herzeliya was killed in action. After his death in combat he was promoted and be put to his final rest as a staff sergeant. May he rest in peace.

photo of Eitan from the website pzm/mako

Needless to say, I am very sad and worried. I am sad for the death and all the soldiers injured protecting us, I am worried about all of them. Those soldiers are our fathers, brothers, uncles, cousins, nephews, friends.

The sound of explosions by both Hamas strikes, rocket launching and IDF's strikes and Iron dome interceptions are being heard in Sderot non stop since last night. The sound of war is hard to describe.

Please I ask from all my readers, when you read or study a chapter from the Jewish bible ("old testament") or read a psalm please do it with the intention in your heart and dedicating that reading or study for the safety of the IDF soldiers, for their health and for peace. Ofcourse keep them in your prayers! Do the intention also if you are donating or making any mitzvah or commandment.

I will try my best to keep you posted on the situation here.
I will end with this song:


Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort


Thursday, July 17, 2014

Hamas targets CHILDREN

Hello readers,
Before today's topic here is some information.
Yesterday Israel agreed to cease its fire today between 10:00-15:00 (10am to 3pm).
Hamas apparently also agreed to ceasefire. But in the early morning they sent a team of atleast 13 terrorists
through a tunnel heavily armed to Israel to murder and kidnap Israeli civilians. 
Fortunatley, the IDF thwarted that attempt.now

in 12:00 (2 hours into the ceasefire) Hamas launched rockets at Israel.
few minutes before 15:00/3pm Hamas resumed fighting.

this is the face of Hamas, targeting innocent civilians and not giving a crap about international laws, morals, or anything similar to this.

Now lets go into todays topic: Hamas Targets CHILDREN!
UPDATE: After I posted this entry I found out this: 
unrwa strongly condemns placement rockets school
As we know, this escalation began in June 12 2014, Hamas kidnapped the 3 teenagers Eyal, Gilad and Naftaly, murdering them minutes later and buring them in a hole, for later using their bodies for "negotiations".

Meanwhile, Hamas kept shooting rockets, rockets they shoot indiscriminatley, many of them fall in Gaza, some in palestinian villages, some hit the power lines between Israel and Gaza. 
Also, in many places in Israel that Hamas targets like Sderot, Haifa, Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv there are many Arabs, Muslims, Christians and other ethnicities and faiths. Synagouges, Mosques and Churches are in their range, including the Al-Aqsa mosque in the temple mount in Jerusalem, which they claim is holy for them.
But as I said Hamas don't care, they only want death, violence and bloodshed.

More than that, Hamas bring children to launching sites, or send them and other civilians to stand between IDF and weapon storage rooms, launching pads, Hamas commanders and more, they put them in danger, using children as human sheilds. 

While in Israel, summer camps have been canceled in southen Israel, the boyscouts canceled their main summer event, teenagers been underfire during high school finals, rockets hit schools.

in July 10, rocket hit play-ground, a 9 year old was saved from shrapnels because a tree was standing between him and the shrapnels.

In July 9-10 teenagers 12 and 14 had broken limbs after falling when running to shelter.

July 10, a 3 months old baby was hurt falling when his mother fell down the stairs taking him for shelter.

In July 12, a husband and wife driving to hospital to give birth to her baby were caught in alarm in the middle of the road. He Had to deliver his daughter under fire.


In July 12, a 16 year old and 19 year old girl were injured while running for shelter.

In July 13 a 16 year old was injured severly from a rocket hit.

In July 14, 10 and 13 year old girls who are bedouin muslims were hit and injured severly by rocket.

This are not the only children harmed by Hamas, there are more.
Beyond this physical injuries, do you know what is like for a child to live with trauma?
Whats its like for him to suffer from PTSD? Always thinking about his death, or his loved ones dying, feeling depression, crying alot, being constantly afraid, having nightmares, not sleeping, losing control of their body like bladder, feeling physical symptoms. Would you let your child grow up in this reality?
Let him be at risk everyday? Not knowing if he will ever return from school? Not being able to enjoy summer vacation? Can't hangout with his friends? Or maybe let him live in constant fear of death, like the sword of Damocles is hanging above is head, all the time?

Or maybe would you like your child to hangout with murderers, hangout in a launching pad that might explode, or a rocket will hit him? maybe send him to be a human sheild for a weapon storage room? 
Maybe you him to be educated to believe that there is nothing as noble, awesome and great as comitting suicide and that death is beautiful? Or maybe you want him to be a good old terrorist planning to kill thousands? 

Children of both Israel and Gaza suffer from the terrorism, and the sick, twisted, hateful, violent minds of Hamas.

SAVE THE CHILDREN! STOP TERROR! STOP HAMAS! 

Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort






Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Roman's personal experience

Hey readers,
Today we will share the story of Roman from Ashdod but first few things:
The name of the man who was murdered by Hamas yesterday is Dror Hanin 37, left behind wife and 3 children. He was a volunteer in Judea and Samaria firefighters deparment.  He died while handing out food packages to soldiers in the border.

photo from Ynet website.

Today as I am writing this post no rockets fired at Sderot, yet rest of Israel is still under fire.
Here is a picture taken by Sivan Basa in a kindergarden in Hod Hasharon 

Hamas fires indiscriminatley at civilians. They dont care who will be hit. 

Now here is the story of a friend from Ashdod, Roman Sohotinski (23)
Im Roman, 23 from Ashdod. I am a student of Social Science at Tel-Aviv University.
I work in public relations and marketing and active in the nightlife scene.

The first time I have experienced the reality of rockets was in december 2008, few months after graduating from high-school. The first time a rocket fell in Ashdod I wasn't really worried about it. But the next time rocket was fired at Ashdod only a short while later a Grad-Rocket exploded close to my house. I remember the big explosion, everything is shaking around me like its going to crash down.  As a young man of 18 who never been under fire or living in terror I was really afraid. More afraid for my family than myself. Its hard to describe this feeling of fear. Mostly I remember my heart racing and pounding hard in my chest, and thinking about the safety of my family.

Now in this escalation in 2014 the Iron Dome helps me  feel more safe, since its proved its ability to intercept most of the rockets. Other than that, It is still stressful and scary to be caught outside when rockets are being fired. 
As for being a student, I finished my finals in TAU. As for work, since I work at PR, Marketing mostly in the nightlife scene, and there is escalation and rockets being fired people don't go out and I find myself without work. Ashdod looks like a ghost-town, people are afraid to go out, and seeing my city this way is very depressing.
I would like to live in a different security situation, where Hamas is not a terrorist organization anymore, without means and intent to hurt us.
I want to tell you all that its not enough dealing with the existing terrorists. There must be an intervention in the education of children in Gaza that encourage them to choose terrorism and violence. The brainwash they are being put through is horrible! From an early age they are taught to hate Jews and fight against Israel.
Terror organizations lie to them as part of their propaganda against Israel. Stoping this brainwash of children can save everyone trouble in future.

Thank you, Roman! 

Help us share the truth! STOP TERROR! STOP HAMAS!
Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Failed ceasefire dozens of rocket at Israel and counting and dead man

Hello readers,
Im sad to say that just now we are announced that a man who was injured by a rocket near Sderot about 20 minutes ago just died. May he Rest in Peace.

So lets rewind a little bit. Israel is dealing with rockets being from Gaza, Lebanon-syria and now from Sinai deseret by Hamas and their fellow terror organizations in those countries.
The rockets fired from Sinai, Egypt hit eilat late at night last night after it was announced that Israeli security cabinet will vote early in the morning on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and to further negotiate a new agreement (after the last agreement in 2012 was broken by Hamas). 
In 09:00 Israel declared ceasefire all IDF missions were paused, even Iron Dome was taken away from Sderot (which is probably why that man was hit and killed).
Hamas didn't agree to the ceasefire and kept shooting dozens of rockets to Israel.
After few hours Israel resumed "Protective Edge" operation to thwart Hamas.

Many people are worried about a ceasfire with Hamas, because there is the fear that Hamas will act the same way it acted in the past. They will make an "agreement" or "ceasefire". After few months they resume their rocket launching at southen Israel and sderot in particular.

Most of the global media don't care about people being fired like sitting ducks.
And Israel usually had a containment policy in which most rockets were not retaliated.
We live this life for 13 years, we want this to stop. As long as Hamas abilities are not hurt, they dont change their policy and agenda, they are still posing a threat to us, civilians in Israel.
If Hamas will lay down their arms, stop with their "Jihad" and change their policies about Jews and Israel than we can finally be at peace, we can finally be at rest, we can finally feel secure.
But until that happens, that cycle of rockets for years, operation, agreement, rockets for years.. will just keep going.

Join the call to STOP TERROR! STOP HAMAS! 

Peace,
Dov Trachtman

Monday, July 14, 2014

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared this blog on their facebook page

Hey everyone its Dov (MiF)
So in the last 2 days we had large readers coming from all over the world.
I checked it out and I found out that the Israeli Minstry of Foreign Affairs posted a link in their facebook page to my blog, so its great news!

I read some of the comments there and some claimed we have problem with muslims or arabs which is not true at all. As I said in this blog and as I said in interviews, the problem is only with the terrorist organizations mainly Hamas who violate human rights of both Israelis and Palestinians.

Israel does all that it can to protect the lives of civilians in Israel and in Gaza, Jewish, Muslim, Christians and all other faiths.

Eli Levin took a picture in a shelter in Jerusalem where both Jews and muslims took shelter from the rockets.
Meanwhile Hamas uses and encourage civilians to act as human shields for their houses, weapon storage rooms and more.
Here is their speaker:


Also, rockets by Hamas have hit villages in the palestinian authority, and yesterday they hit the power lines from Israel that give electricity to 70,000 palestinians. Hamas don't care about muslims or arabs, only about violence. Israel on the other hand protect everyone, be it Jew, Arab, or any other.

SO SHARE THE TRUTH! STOP HAMAS!
Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Ariel's personal story with rockets + short update

Hey everyone.
I was very busy in the last few days. Interviews, talking with reporters and running to shelter during the alarms.
As you may have heard rockets are fired from lebanon aswell to Israel by now. There are people who got hurt. An american tourist died from panic attack in Jerusalem (Just show that damage can be done not just by hitting). I will share with you mroe later.

Here is my friend Ariel personal story:
Hello, my name is Ariel Zharskey, i'm 23 years old living in Sderot.
I'm a student of second year at the faculty of Stomatology, served the IDF for 3 years.

My first personal "meeting" with the rockets fired from Gaza strip happened back in 2002 when I first experienced a rocket exploding next to my house. It was about 15 meters from my home, while I sat in front of my computer, I heard a massive explosion, my window just exploded,the entire glass fell on my bed.
Back in those days, the early years of rockets being fired at Sderot we didnt have Code Red alarm.
As time got by and many people were injured badly from this unstoppable "rain" of rockets, the Israel Defense Force and the city hall understood it's about time to set an alarm.

The decision was made shortly after my experience. When the explosion occured my mother was pregnant with my baby sister. She was at home while it happend, and also my 8 year old sister was sitting in her room.
When the rocket hit a bus 15 meters from my house, the explosion was unbelievably massive, it shook the entire building and broke every single glass pointing the place where the rocket hit.
Small pieces of the rocket flew into the house breaking everything on its way, the bus went on fire.

While I'm completely in shock, I'm trying to get myself up, go check my mother and sister
the air is full with smoke, as a result of the explosion, i'm running to check my family.
Good, they're fine, not a scratch, the street is filled with curious people checking what's going on.
After a while, the police and firefighters arrived, fortunately there were no people on the street when the rocket hit.
The bus was completely burned, the firefighters managed to calm the fire.

Couple of days ago I experienced something scary as well, while rockets were fired from Gaza, the "Iron Dome" was activated and neutralize the rockets within air.

Two loud "booms" were heard after a while, 1-2 minutes later it started "raining" little small pieces of metal on the roof of our house and the yard, when the biggest piece was about 1 meter size.
Without the Code Red and the Iron Dome this time It could have ended very differently.
This is our reality, the reality of Sderot, since 2001.

(The photos were taken by Ariel in his house couple of days ago. Do not use without crediting him and linking to this blog)
Thanks for reading,
Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort

Friday, July 11, 2014

Rockets hits Haifa, Rocket hits gas station in Ashdod, sleepless night in Sderot

Hi readers.
so this is hit, during the night a rocket was fired and hit haifa.

Around the time of the shooting at Haifa (3 AM give or take) I woke up. I dont know why, maybe it was the sound of the launch (the long range missiles makes so much noise and super sonic explosions) so it took me almost 1.5 hours to fall to sleep than I woke up twice confused as hell running to shelter because rockets were fired at Sderot and Code Red alarm woke me up. 
Needless to say you feel so confused and helpless during this time, you start waking you parents by calling "Code Red" and you just not sure what the point of all of this? running to shelter during the night? and if the alarm wouldnt wake me up? but then your mind, rational mind answers this doubts "Its never worth the risk. You woke up, it gives you better chances of surviving this, dont be lazy".
So yeah, NOT BEING LAZY, I run to shelter stay for few minutes go back.
Now as I said this night it happened "only" twice.

In the past we didnt have shelter at all, and we either didnt sleep at night or woke up 10 or more times to wait for our fate.. literally. So I hope you know what does it mean to be in the most fortified city in the world and understanding it still doesnt mean you are really safe.

Blessings and prayers for all the people injured by Hamas' aggression and terror.

Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Foreign news reporters visited Sderot, the world most fortified city in the world.

Hello to all our new readers!
Today I was interviewed and later joined foreign journalists and news reporters who visited my city, Sderot.
I was invited by the man who lead this tour, Noam Bedein, a journalist and the head of Sderot Media Center.

So in 10 AM we met with the journalists near the operation centers of Sderot.
Noam gave a briefing about Sderot and the security situation.
After the briefing me and other residents who speak in foreign languages were interviewed by this journalists.
After that, Knesset Member Shuli Mualem who visited Sderot was interviewed by the journalists.


Than we visited the rockets museum in the police stations. Hundreds of rockets that have  hit Sderot.
The journalists took photos and asked some more questions.

In 11 AM we went to "Denver" the paint factory that EXPLODED 2 weeks ago in saturday evening.
The stench of the chemicals that burned is still really strong and bad even after all this time and the cleaning going on. The factory owner Baruch Kogan was interviewed by the journalists. in about 11:20 AM we so Iron Dome intercepts rockets in the air, then followed by Code Red alarm. The journalists were stressed and we all ran to a more safe place behind the factory. It is very uneasy and scary experience.




A video of us running to safety can be viewed here: http://www.hnn.co.il/gallery26681.html
We were on our way to the next stop when the journalists heared in the microphone a young girl talk about the rockets in her town minutes earlier (in English).

After that we went to the worlds first shelterd playground for young children.
The Journalists talked with parents and children, heard about the project by a representative.


After that we want to a hill that you can see gaza from and how close it is to Sderot.
The journalists heard mayor of Sderot Mr. Alon Davidi speak about Sderot, the rocket threat and the need to stop terror of hamas. The journalists asked him questions and took photos of gaza.


Before the end of the tour Mr. Noam Bedein Gave more information about Sderot's history, demography and the mixture of different cultures in the city. The journalists were especially surprised to hear that in Sderot many arabs from Gaza and "palestinian territories" decided to live. Also Sderot is home now of over 1000 war refugees from Sudan.

I can say that it was very interesting day, both for me, and the journalists and reporters, a little bit scary but overall important experience.

NOTE: DO NOT USE OR SHARE THIS PHOTOS OR VIDEO WITHOUT CREDITING AND LINKING TO THIS BLOG.

Have a peaceful day as possible
Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort




Living under fire of ROCKETS over a decade, how its really like

Hi again friends and supporters. 
There's an article I wanted to post in a big american website prior to operation "Protective Edge" but I will post it here instead. please, share it so the whole world will know how it's like living for 13 years with the threat of rockets killing you and everyone you love is daily and around the clock.
 But first, here some background music that will help you understand what is Hamas and what they really stand for.
(Sabaton - In the name of God)

First of all few statistics
Terror organization from Gaza started firing rockets on civilian population since 2001.
In 2005 Israel disconnected and gave lands to Gaza for peace. Since than over 20,000 rockets
where fired to Israel.
Since operation Pillar of Defense in 2012 over 400 (MiF note: the number is outdated since I wrote this) rockets were fired to Israel.
Most of them between June-July 2014 as part of escalation initiated by the worldly known terrorist organization Hamas that kidnapped 3 teenagers and murdered them.

#1
It affects the way you dress
Say this is summer the temperature is 35-40 celcius (95-105 farenhait).You will probably where shorts, sandals and flip-flops, right?
If you need to throw the trash you wouldn't give it much thought just wear
something because its only few seconds.
Well in the reality of living under the terror of rockets you give it some serious thought.
Ideally you have 15 seconds to find shelters when you hear the code red alarm goes on. In most cases its less than that like 5 seconds (sometimes the alarm starts after the explosion of the hit) so you probably choose shoes like running shoes or even boots to throw to trash not to mention all your other daily activities even in the hot days of summer. Because you don't want to trip, twist your ankle or something that will delay from getting in to safe zone.
And sometimes you don't have the time so what you can do is just lay on the ground and cover your head with your hands.
But shreds from the rocket or pieces of glass, stone and other objects can hit you in your back, legs and hands.
So personally I usually still prefer wearing jeans because of the strong fabric and boots because it keeps the leg safer and its harder to twist ankle when you run because it gives some support. (jeans is actually more psychological than practical to be fully honest). 

Wait I didnt finish with this point. So atleast in your house you can be in your tighty walter whities right? Well not exactly. You see, the values of community and helping each other are strong in my city espcially in times of need. So many houses keep their doors open from early morning to the late night hours. Some even keep them almost 24/7 open. No one really want to be the douchebag that someone was killed because he let in for shelter when the rockets start to fall around.
But still in this unusual scenario you dont want to look like you neglect yourself.  So  even in the late night hours people think about what to wear.



#2
Bathing and Showering are not relaxing
So this reality is very stressful and you just want to take few minutes to relax. Maybe take a soothing bath or cleaning yourself up from the blood, sweat and tears of the day because Hamas arranged a private flight for the grim reaper to pay our city a visit.

The thing is, it becomes scary of its own. You see, most bathrooms are not made to endure under the hits of rockets or the shock waves of the hit. Take into account that in many bathroom there are mirrors, glass and other dangerously fragile that can become sharp items and you got yourself a nice death trap. It's Jigsaw's wet dream scenario.

So some people try to postpone it, make a project out of it with someone waiting outside the door to call you when the “code red” alarm and sirens are on so you could cover yourself with towel so you would not run butt-naked to a safety room or shelter or the building stairs room. And as we mentioned, in times like this people will probably get inside your house to take cover and its makes the situation a lot more uncomfortable if you are naked and face filled with shampoo.

Same thing is with toilets. You really dont want to get caught with your pants down so to speak.

You see, you need to appreciate this things. For millions of people in Israel this is a terrifying moments which they need to decide what they prefer. They're health and hygene or life.


3#
Long-Distance EVERYTHING
I guess everyone here is familiar with the term long-distance relationships.
What if everything in your life become long-distance and not by choice.
You see all this years living in a life looking like a bad sci-fi/action movie (Because seriously life like this seems totally unreal) the way your life looks like change drastically you see when you are a kid or teenager living here your parents probably would not want you or let you go out. Sometimes the government decides everyone should stay in shelters to not take any risks. So you keep in touch with your friends through phone calls, texting, facebook. You get the point.
So sometimes you hardly go to school, sometimes they able to arrange buses and classes in other cities we can atleast study there. So sometimes you can spends weeks in shelter or at home or weeks going back and forth to different cities to study and taking exams.
There was also an initiative to open classes through internet so we can watch videos, lectures or download notes so we won't miss much material from the curriculum.

Also did I mention that many people skipped town for days, weeks, forever just to take a break from this life? So yeah there are people you hardly see and people you will hardly see in the future.


#4
Sleep is for the weak.. or the sane
The problem with living in constant fear for your life is that it fucks you up.
People develop problems like PTSD, kids lose control of their bladder even in older ages
and anyway the Hamas enjoying launching rockets even late at night so its kind of hard to sleep when you hear and feel the explosions and the sirens would not stop because suddenly they decided to escalate. So yeah your sleep cycle gets crazy, biological clock is not synch to normal people life.

Studies of sleep deprivation show the damages caused by it. Mental problems, physical problems. Basically this is a constant torture we are put through by terror organization. This torture is killing people even if they dont hit you directly with their rockets. So thumbs up Hamas you get the reward of being inhumane douchebags who get kicks of torturing civilians and children for kicks.


#5
Counter-Equipment makes normal things look sci-fi
So its starts with that most houses in my city got special operations room standard beeper which alerts if there are rockets going to fall near by with sometimes messages of how much and when.

Add to that the speakers for the alert “code red” everywhere around so you will have few seconds to pray and take cover before it hits.

Bomb shelters were laid down around the city, most bus station have small shelters now to.
To make it less terrifying artist from abroad and from Israel tried to decorate them and paint them to look less intimidating ugly and weird sci-fi.

Schools have arches and exo-skeleton like metal and bocks layers which make them look monstrous and gave children nightmares at first.

Also we have the world's first sheltered play-ground for kids. So parents wouldnt have to overthink if they can take them to play outside with friends and if its safe for them and if they wouldnt be hurt.

Seriously if you think this is sane-normal for a western country to have cities in this situation something is wrong with you.


#6
PTSD and Agoraphobia makes your brain feel trapped in a bad action movie in loop
So years under the threats of being killed by rockets, day and night screws your brain you suffer from PTSD and maybe Agoraphobia variations.
Everytime you step out of the door be it for work, school, a walk, a ride you start thinking stuff "where is the closest shelter"? "Where I wont be alone in case of trouble"? "What is the best way to run"? Even moral questions start to pop up. Lets say you are in a car with your two small kids. And the alarm goes on and you have only few seconds to choose which one are you going to get out of the car for safety. How can you choose? How do you deal with this? Choosing life of one over another. And lets say its not your kids just you see few kids alone on the street how can you handle helping them all to get into safety? Its insane!

Also besides over thinking on what to do and how to deal with stuff (and in many times people had to deal with this situations and moral questions) you have to deal with your body.
Feeling like your heart is going to explode because its racing and you feel every pound like a punch in the chest, feeling the fear like this is your last day or how they going to tell your family you are dead or how could you deal with life if you lose both your legs or you just freeze in spot.
Or putting on loud music in your earphones so you try to distract yourself from the situations, disassociate yourself and not thinking about and ignoring from the alarms and explosions.
Yeah thats pretty much my highschool memories of going to and back from school.


This pretty much a small summary of things that I think most people never thought of about living under the constant fire of rockets. please share the truth. STOP HAMAS!

Dov Trachtman - The Man in Fort