In familiar ritual, Israelis race back and forth to shelters to escape Iranian missile barrages

"In Jaffa, a mixed Arab-Jewish neighborhood of Tel Aviv, more than 100 people, including Muslim families with young children, religious Jews from a nearby seminary and at least a dozen dogs crammed into the public shelter underneath a park. Some groups splayed out on mattresses they brought into the shelter and played cards, others shared snacks, while observant Muslims were fasting for the holy month of Ramadan."

"She noted, however, that it was one of the times when you could see the community come together. Her son received an emergency summons for reserve military duty, and a stranger in the shelter volunteered to drive him to the base, even though he was a religious Jew who generally does not drive on Saturdays, the Jewish sabbath."

"I want it to end as soon as possible, it's a nightmare, people are more and more frustrated and tired, Cohen said. We see families with babies and young kids here, but there are elderly people that aren't able to keep running here all day."

Following a major U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran, constant Iranian missile salvos prompted Israeli civilians to seek shelter throughout Saturday. In Jaffa, a mixed Arab-Jewish neighborhood, over 100 people including Muslim families, religious Jews, and dogs crowded into a public shelter beneath a park. Residents shared mattresses, played cards, and exchanged snacks while observant Muslims broke their Ramadan fasts in the shelters. The situation highlighted infrastructure inadequacies in poorer neighborhoods lacking proper shelters. Despite the stress and fatigue from 2.5 years of regional conflict involving Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, and Iran, residents noted moments of community unity, with strangers helping each other despite religious differences.

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