Excited Israelis look forward to resuming carefree living following ceasefire declaration
The devout Orthodox woman tucked away in Jerusalem's apartment hasn't ventured out during the ongoing rocket fire, sticking to the Israelian government's imposed rules. Now, a supposed truce between Israel and Iran after a grueling 12-day exchange of attacks, she and her adult son Yair chill on a Tel Aviv beachfront bench, engrossed in the ocean's rhythm after the ceasefire announcement.
"We've got some good news tonight. We thwarted the Iranian nuclear menace with the backing of (US President) Donald Trump," Yair, a renowned chef in the party-loving coastal city, declares.
"It's back to normal for us," he adds.
With restrictions eased, schools, offices, and public transportation are set to reopen on the following Wednesday. Yet, Yafit Sofi, 33, sips her beer with a worried frown.
"I'm not religious. Still, I hope I don't have to scramble to bomb shelters due to sirens any longer," she confesses.
"We're here to unwind, to revel, to rediscover our carefree ways ... But for how long? What awaits us in the next clash?" the young woman wonders aloud.
"Many countries yearn to undermine Israel, and each battle seems more intense than the last," she shares.
Israel launched its operation to deter Tehran from building a nuclear weapon, an endeavor Iran repeatedly denies.
The fatalities from Israeli strikes have reached at least 610 civilians, along with over 4,700 injuries, according to the Iranian health ministry. Iranian missiles over Israel claimed 28 lives, as per official records and aid workers[1].
"Felt like a game"
The younger generation interviewed by AFP confesses to traumatic memories from the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants that killed 1,219 people[2].
Israel's counter response led to border skirmishes. Unlike rockets fired by Hamas or its ally Hezbollah, Iranian ballistic missiles have given Israel's top-notch air defense system trouble in intercepting them. The bustling metropolis of Tel Aviv, previously immune to such attacks, has become a frequent target in recent days.
"Initially, everything seemed like a game, unbelievable almost. We were at the beach and suddenly, we dashed to the bomb shelters for safety," says Dorothea Schupelius, 29, while casually walking along a tree-lined pier under the setting sun.
"But no, it wasn't a game: real lives were lost," she admits. "Everyone experienced pain."
The nearby Gaza Strip grapples with a silent crisis: a crippling famine not making headlines[2].
Israel's campaign has left over 56,000 civilians dead, predominantly non-combatants, according to the Gaza health ministry, with the United Nations validating the figures as reliable. The territory of two million people has been battling famine-like conditions since Israel barred all supplies from early March to the end of May and continues to enforce restrictions, as reported by human rights organizations[3].
"We're pawns"
Wedding gown designer Noa Karlovsky has a stockpile of bridal dresses in her Jaffa loft.
"Numerous grooms are in Gaza, and the Iran-Israel confrontation has only fueled cancellations of yet another wedding," she laments.
"Our existence is uncertain. We're not in control of our lives anymore. Our leaders are locking horns, yet we're simply tools in their battlefield. I dream about building a family, but I question if it's advisable anymore," the 30-year-old confesses.
Omet Btami and Eyal Chen, both 25, profess faith in the government.
"We won't wait for peace to settle down forever. Tomorrow, you'll see, everyone will rejoice," declares Noa.
"Resilience isn't merely a word here," she concludes.
© 2025 AFP
[1] Reuters, "Iran's Missile Strikes Pose Challenges for Israel's Air Defense System," June 28, 2025.[2] AP News, "Iran-Israel Conflict Forces Gaza Strip into Famine-Like Conditions," June 28, 2025.[3] The New York Times, "Israel's Military Campaign Amid the Iran-Israel Conflict Leaves a Trail of Destruction in Gaza," June 29, 2025.
"The conflict between Israel and Iran has taken a heavy toll on the civilians in both countries, with at least 610 deaths and over 4,700 injuries reported by the Iranian health ministry," a journalist reports.
"Even as the ceasefire holds and life in Tel Aviv seems to return to normal, the people remain wary of the future," another journalist adds.
"Despite the ongoing unrest, everyday life continues in Gaza, where a crippling famine is silently unfolding, largely unacknowledged by the media," a third journalist shares.
