Rocket-battered towns worried as violence escalates

"It feels as though we've been abandoned by the state, there's nowhere to run," says preschool teacher Ettie Koren, voicing the anger felt by many in Israel's southern towns as the fragile ceasefire with Gaza's

armed groups is tested once more with this week's attacks.

A residents of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, Koren told Ynet on Saturday that residents of the so-called Gaza-vicinity communities simply do not understand why the state did failed to take advantage of the calm to complete the fortification of their homes. These tense past few days, with the Qassam threat looming once more, many are renewing their calls to evacuate the region.

"During the day, when I'm in the fortified preschool, I feel secure, but on coming back home that sense of safety disappears," says Koren. "Every night we have to decide where we'll sleep, maybe we'll go to stay with friends. At 3:00 am, when the mortar shells started falling, I woke up and starting crying, thinking 'where can I run?'"

Ophir Leibstein, also of Kfar Aza has filed a petition to the High Court along with several other locals, demanding the government be held to its own legislation on fortification."We believe that the High Court of Justice will force the state to implement its decision to fortify the communities," he said.

"It's true that the fortification won't stop the rockets or end the war in Gaza – but it will provide a solution for the constant attacks and more security. We had this truce but nothing was done during that time to advance the fortification. Someone will be held accountable for this in the commission of inquiry they'll set up after people are killed."

'We won't be used as cannon fodder'

Friday saw 15 Qassam and Grad rockets launched from northern Gaza towards southern Israel.

"It's difficult to understand our situation," says Alon Shuster, chairman of the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council. "The government itself had already decided to fortify all homes within a 4.5km radius (2.7 miles), and yet despite the army's stringent warnings and despite the collapse of the ceasefire in recent weeks, despite the fact that we know the rocket-interception system, the 'Iron Dome' is incapable of doing anything against mortar shells, the Israeli government refuses to allocate the necessary funds for fortification."

Shuster said that while on the one hand residents living with daily attacks "are expected to stand their ground and lead normal lives, but on the other hand the government is obligated to protect every single one of these residents."

The resurgence of Palestinian rocket attacks has brought with it a resurgence of doubt amongst Israelis regarding their future in the region.

"My life in Kfar Aza has been wonderful," recalled Koren, "but I am not willing to be used as anyone's cannon fodder. I long to leave the kibbutz, which once was one of my great loves."

"The day Jimmy Kdoshim was killed I was walking through the kibbutz and twice there were mortars that landed right next to me. I was terrified, and I've never been that kind of person. I don't trust this false ceasefire. Hamas has managed to disrupt our day-to-day lives. I'd like to see all those politicians living here with their families, even just for one day. I'm proud of my sons' contribution to the state, to the military, but I'm disappointed by the indifference of the state and its citizens," she said.