BoingBoing reader Melly in Israel writes, "I'm Canadian but flew to Israel on Tuesday the 18th to be with my family who lives in the northern part of Israel." She's blogging her experience here. Snip:
Alright, I'll admit it. I'm scared.
About half an hour ago there was a series of nearby explosions without the warning of a siren. So far, this is the most scared I've been. So far, I've counted on the sirens to at least warn us.[My] parents live in a north-facing apartment. Meaning, an apartment facing Lebanon, where the rockets are coming from. Without a siren, we're very exposed as there is pretty much only the corridor that can serve as an inner room, as futile as it may sound. My heart doesn't stop racing and I have that bitter fear taste in my mouth.
Slowly, my other family members are leaving the north, heading south of Haifa. There is no relief and no quiet. I'm trying to calm my racing heart, and maybe writing about this helps. Not sure.
Earlier this morning there was a siren and one distant boom after the siren. This time – no siren and a series of nearby booms. At the same time we just heard of massive casualties in Lebanon and I want to cry for them and for us, but I must stay strong or I'll crumple.