Tel Aviv Family's Nightly Bomb Shelter Dash Amid Iranian Missile Strikes
A family of four residing in central Tel Aviv has provided an exclusive and harrowing account of the terror they endure as Iranian missile attacks force them into nightly dashes to bomb shelters. This has become their "unimaginable reality" following recent military operations between Israel and Tehran.
The Unpredictable Routine of Survival
Filmmaker Ami Goldman, 52, and his photographer wife Roni Cnaani, also 52, describe waking their children Michael, 11, and Jasmine, 15, multiple times a day and night to scurry into a nearby bomb shelter located in a multi-storey car park. Although it is a short walk from their 100-year-old home, the alerts come unpredictably, often giving them only about 15 minutes to seek safety.
Ami explained: "This has been part of our lives since the October 7 attacks. It is completely unpredictable; you usually have about 15 minutes in the shelter."
The Stark Reality of Iranian Missiles
The "boom" from missiles overhead serves as a chilling alert to the weapons' size and scale. Ami notes that Iranian missiles are significantly larger than those from Gaza, with one striking Tel Aviv just three days ago, its blast force audibly terrifying residents. He recounted a direct hit in Beit Shemesh, west of Jerusalem, where a 500-kg Iranian warhead killed nine people in a bunker.
"They had no chance as it was a direct hit on the shelter," Ami added. "Even the most protected shelter couldn't withstand that kind of power, no one could survive that. It is a reminder of the constant dangers."
Impact on Daily Life and Education
During school terms, Michael and Jasmine must abruptly leave lessons to dash to bomb shelters within their educational institutions. Ami mentioned that his children's school has a safe room, but their historic home lacks such protection, forcing them to cross the street to reach communal shelters. Most modern properties in Tel Aviv are equipped with bomb shelters, highlighting a grim architectural norm.
The family's experience is compounded by the psychological toll: "This is far from a regular life, people are still frightened by this, and it has been this way for the past two and a half years," Ami stated, drawing parallels to the London Blitz and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Shelter Conditions and Community Resilience
The bomb shelter they frequent often holds over 100 people, with individuals standing on stairways due to overcrowding. Despite the chaos, Ami expressed cautious optimism about Israel's defence systems against Iranian rockets, though recent close calls near his children's school underscore persistent threats.
"We can only live our lives and hope for the best; we hope it will only last a few days, but it is so hard to tell," he said, acknowledging the uncertainty of military outcomes and the potential for prolonged conflict.
A Call for Global Awareness and Change
Ami concluded with a poignant reflection on the Iranian populace, asserting that they do not deserve their long-standing regime. He criticised global governments for mishandling Iran policy and emphasised the need for real change.
"I think that Governments across the world have been getting it wrong on Iran, and real change is needed. So I hope that in the end this is all worthwhile," he added, voicing a desperate hope for peace amid the relentless violence.
