Sderot, a Negev town about 1 kilometer from the Gaza Strip, has been the target of over 4,000 Qassam rockets that Hamas has fired since September 2005. These missiles cause untold damage to buildings and infrastructure and also wreak havoc on residents’ daily lives. In this posting, Sderot residents document their lives under a constant state of siege and their responses to the incessant “Red Alert” warning of incoming missiles.

The pictures are courtesy of “Yedioth Ahronot“, and appeared in an article in “24 hours” Magazine on January 1st, 2008.

	Photo: Albert Gabay A child searches for a shelter during a “Red Alert.” Albert tells him to come into the car.
	Photo: Edi Azran A reinforced bus station at the entrance to Sapir College, Sderot, on a weekday morning

	Photo: Liraz Madmoni Netanel Madmoni, 5, hides in the shower during a “Red Alert.” He instinctively put a chair on his head to feel more secure.

	Photo: Dina Houri Soldiers play with students during a lull between sirens.

	Photo: Liraz Houri Australian youngsters in a Sderot shopping center sing “Praise God for he is good” (Psalms 118:1)

	Photo: Micha Biton This soldier was only a boy when the Qassams started. Now he’s in the Golani Brigade’s reconnaissance unit, taking up positions in the northern sector of Gaza.

	Photo: Shirley Askri Nina, Shirley’s partner’s dog, whimpers during every “Red Alert”

Photo: Niva Hermoni-Meirovich Lectures given at the Arnon community center in Saar Hanegev addressed “Parenting in the Shadow of the Qassams.” (The sign reads: To all communits center guests/workers. Upon hearing “Red Alert” on the announcement system, you are requested to go quickly and quietly to the bottom floor of the community center and gather in the inner hallway along the walls at a distance from the windows. With hope for quiet times.)

	Photo: Chaim Biton A car damaged by a Qassam blast. The body is riddled with holes, the wondows are blown out, and the tires are punctured.

	Photo: Keren Dahan The “Red Alert” sounds in the middle of morning prayers. Danny Dahan runs into the hall to protect the children.

	Photo: Dani Dahan Danny’s 4-year-old twins, Raveh and Stav, during a “Red Alert.” They would go to the apartment’s protected space if they had one. In the absence of a secure area, the two are trained to protect one another in the hallway.