Streets of western Negev town empty for fear of more Qassam attacks; ‘we must listen to the Palestinians – they spoke of a reduction in rocket fire, not a truce,’ mayor says
Despite the Hanukkah holiday, the streets of Sderot were empty Wednesday as residents realized that the ceasefire with the Palestinians ended prematurely, particularly after six Qassam rockets landed in
the Negev since noon.
“We planned holiday activities for Sderot’s youth outside the city,” Mayor Eli Moyal said.
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Some residents arrived at the city’s center to light the menorah that was built from Qassam rocket debris, but after lighting the candles everyone hurried home.
“I was certain there would be some traffic, but it’s not happening” one storeowner said, “If this situation continues stores will be shut down.”
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Sderot Mental Health Center Director Dr. Adriana Katz said more than 15 people arrive for consultation each week.
“After a Qassam attack we get more people; the situation here is borderline catastrophic.”
According to Katz, the center lacks the manpower to deal with the situation.
“You cannot treat 50 people a day, as we have many times in the past; it’s unprofessional,” she said. “We here of the budgets, but they don’t arrive here. The most severe problem is that the center has not been fortified yet.”
On Tuesday Mayor Moyal accepted the Begin Center award on behalf of Sderot’s residents for their resilience in the face of the rocket attacks.
“It is heartwarming that someone remembers us,” he said during the ceremony. Unfortunately the Qassam fire continues; people on the outside had the feeling that there was a ceasefire, but this wasn’t the case. We must listen to the Palestinians – they spoke of a reduction in rocket fire, not a truce.”
Hanukkah celebrations in Negev kibbutzim and communities surrounding the Gaza Strip took place as scheduled in protected buildings, with most kibbutz members said routine was important for the children.
“There is a feeling that as long as the rockets land outside the community, then everything is okay and we can go on with our lives,” Shaar Hanegev Regional Council Head Alon Shuster said.
“We will continue our struggle to protect kibbutz members’ homes.”
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