(August 26, 2024) In a much delayed (and much anticipated) response to Israel's elimination of Hezbollah's terror commander Fuad Shukr, the Lebanon based terror organization launched 320 rockets into Israel's northern region early yesterday morning. Most of these projectiles were intercepted by Israeli air defense system, which consists of the already well-known Iron Dome. There were no reports of significant casualties on the Israeli side except for one navy personnel killed and two other injured. The two wounded are stated to be in moderate to light condition. In the same rocket attack, a B'nei Menashe home in the northern city of Acre belonging to Gershom Mate suffered a near miss when it landed on an open ground adjacent to the building where his family resides. This latest round of escalation was due to two incidents which occurred within days of each other, where Fuad Shukr was killed by an airstrike by the IAF, followed in quick succession by the assassination of Hamas chief, Ismail Haniyeh a few days later, Israel has admitted to targeting Shukr but has
kept a stoic silence on Haniyeh's assassination. Israel is still bracing itself for an Iranian response which they have clearly stated they intend to carry out a revenge attack against the 'Zionist Regime'. However, it is an open question if they will be able to, given the volatile situation and risk an upsurge that might lead to a war in the region. Or will they let one of their proxies, like the Hezbollah, to carry it out? The Iranian economy is in shambles, crippled by decades long sanctions by the U.S. and its allies, notably the European Union, furthermore, the growing dissent by the common people who are disillusioned by the economic plight coupled with the rigorous interpretations of Islam they have been subjected to by the ruling mullahs. It is a tight balance the regime will have to contend itself with. Our readers may be reminded of the early April 2024 attack on Israel launched by Iran, supported by the Houthis. (It may be noted that both the Iranians and the Houthis share a similar denomination within Islam, Shi'ism) This was in response to an Israeli Air Force raid on Iranian embassy in Damascus where two senior Iranian generals were killed. The attack comprised of over 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles and 120 ballistic missiles. According to reports, 99 percent of all incoming projectiles were destroyed by the lesser known second and third tier Israeli air defense systems such as David's Sling and Arrow 3. They were supported by American, British, French and even Jordan which shot down a few of them. The attack inflicted a very minor damage to the Nevatim Air Force base and about 32 people suffered minor injuries, including a 7-year old Bedouin girl.
Gershom Mimin Mate and his family had a narrow escape as a Hezbollah grad missile landed and exploded in an open ground narrowly missing the apartment building where he lives with his wife and two children. "If the missile had landed a few meters more, that would have been the end for all of us" he relates to our newsletter, clearly shaken to the core. Gershom has been a long time resident of Acre ever since their family came on an aliya about 8 years ago. He is an entrepreneur, par excellence, having opened a photo studio in Acre itself and
had a thriving business till covid destroyed it in 2020-21. The road to recovery was slow and painful, he explained to us. But it has been worthwhile, in the aftermath of covid he set up a sound studio, Akhim Menashe Studio or simply AMS a few years back in his home. He has been promoting various B'nei Menashe artistes and has had a modicum of success, considering the size of the the community's population in Israel.
He told us of that fateful morning on a Sunday morning, a little after 5 am when the silence was shattered by the sirens. He and his wife got their two young children out of bed, clutching them in their arms in an attempt to rush down the stairs from their second floor apartment toward the shelter on the ground floor. While barely out of their apartment, they heard a deafening sound accompanied by a very bright flash of light, outside their building. Luckily for them they were still on the stairs, inside. Miraculously, the rocket did not hit the building. It fell on an open ground making a crater around it. He is glad that they are all safe, especially the children. "The children are in a
bit of a shock, dazed but my wife and I have been trying to soothe them. It will take sometime but it will heal with time" he says emphatically. The impact of the explosion, however did cause some serious damages. There were shards of shattered window panes, blinds scattered all over the ground and off course the tell-telling crater.
Gershom looks back at the years that have unfolded philosophically and says that there are always important lessons to be drawn from it. "Life is precious and it must be used in the best way possible." Even though his studio has been rendered unworkable, there is a glint of hope in him. He will strive to rebuild it, that was something that gave, not only him but many people, a joy, a fulfillment. "There are lives to be rebuilt, not just a studio", he adds. The family has been evacuated to a nearby hotel along with other residents of the building, until a more permanent solution can be found.
Prior to the fateful attack on Sunday morning, over a hundred IAF warplanes had made a pre-emptive strike on Hezbollah's rocket batteries that were pointed towards Israel. If that had not been done the number of rockets and the damage inflicted on Israel would have had a far more serious consequences than seen now. Quite reminiscent of a similar attack on the Egyptian airbases in 1967.
If anyone would like to open their hearts and their wallets to help this family, you can direct your donations to this bank account:
Name: Elisheva Mate
Account No: 04730741
Branch No.: 960
Bank Leumi, Akko (Acre)
Phone No.: 050 7420451.
