SDEROT, ISRAEL -
On almost a nightly basis, news outlets across the world report on a tiny strip of land in the Middle East. The nation of Israel is a global hotspot both politically and spiritually. And, it's a place where the war on terror can be seen right out the front window.
WHNT NEWS 19 anchor and reporter Nick Banaszak spent three weeks in Israel capturing the sights and sounds of one of the holiest and most volatile places on Earth. Part of his trip included a visit to the town of Sderot in southernmost Israel, a city just one mile from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
To live in Sderot is to live on death's doorstep. It's a town like no other, where bomb shelters line city streets. Even playgrounds are disguised for battle. In the last 8 years, more than 12,000 rockets fired from Gaza have landed in Sderot and the surrounding area. Some residents have been killed and thousands of others traumatized.
"It's really difficult for me to explain what's it like to have 15 seconds to run for your life," said Jacob Shrybman, spokesman for the Sderot Media Center. "Every single time that alarm goes off warning you of the incoming attack, it's as if that rocket is heading right towards you. So try to imagine that kind of psychological trauma compiled over eight years."
Every time Hamas or allied terror groups fire a rocket at Sderot, residents have a maximum of 15 seconds to take cover. City security director Udah Benmayen says the terrorists fire at all hours of the day.
"They usually fire in the mornings when the children are going to school and when they're leaving school in the afternoon," said Benmayen. "Sometimes the rockets fall and explode before the alarm even sounds. Hamas chooses when to fire. They'll decide when to fire. We don't choose, it's up to them."
WHNT NEWS 19 spoke with local residents who have come face to face with the terror.
"My car was burned right outside my house from a missile that fell on it on a Sabbath night," said Adina Mastbaum, mother of five. "As a mother, it's very, very scary to know that the lives of my children are in danger and there's nothing to do to secure them."
Of the 12,000 rockets fired at Sderot in the last eight years, 7,000 fell after Israel completely withdrew from its Jewish settlements in Gaza. The 2005 agreement between Israel and the Palestinian territories was supposed to bring peace and end the terror, but since that time the rocket fire has only increased. Israeli officials say many of the rockets are bought and paid for by foreign aid from Israel, the United States, and other countries that are trying to help the Palestinians build infrastructure and provide services. Instead, the terrorist groups divert the funds to acquire rockets. WHNT NEWS 19 spoke with members of the U.S. Congressional delegation who were touring Sderot while our cameras were rolling.
"They (Palestinians) have allowed people to use it as a base to send rockets at innocent women and children and families," said U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-5th District, Maryland). "The Palestinians need to make sure they're not undermining their efforts for peace by others like Hamas and Islamic Jihad who would undermine that security."
North Alabama Congressman Parker Griffith (D-5th District, Alabama) was also part of the delegation. He commented on the terror in Sderot.
"I think it's time to be decisive," said Griffith. "We need to express ourselves in a very decisive way that Israel is our friend."
A recent survey from the Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem shows that roughly half of all Sderot's children aged six and under suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Other studies put the mark much higher.
"You have children that sleep in the hallways of their home because it's the safest place at night," said Shryban. "Children that sleep in between their parents at night, teenagers sleeping with diapers. It's a completely absurd, absurd way of life."
Many of Sderot's residents say the Israeli government has not done enough to bring an end to the attacks. Despite that, most refuse to pack up and leave.
"We believe as the Jewish people that we should be in every part of Israel," said Mastbaum. "It's the land given to us by God as written in the Bible and no terror attack should stop that."
For more information, visit the Sderot Media Center.
WHNT NEWS 19 anchor and reporter Nick Banaszak spent three weeks in Israel capturing the sights and sounds of one of the holiest and most volatile places on Earth. Part of his trip included a visit to the town of Sderot in southernmost Israel, a city just one mile from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
To live in Sderot is to live on death's doorstep. It's a town like no other, where bomb shelters line city streets. Even playgrounds are disguised for battle. In the last 8 years, more than 12,000 rockets fired from Gaza have landed in Sderot and the surrounding area. Some residents have been killed and thousands of others traumatized.
"It's really difficult for me to explain what's it like to have 15 seconds to run for your life," said Jacob Shrybman, spokesman for the Sderot Media Center. "Every single time that alarm goes off warning you of the incoming attack, it's as if that rocket is heading right towards you. So try to imagine that kind of psychological trauma compiled over eight years."
Every time Hamas or allied terror groups fire a rocket at Sderot, residents have a maximum of 15 seconds to take cover. City security director Udah Benmayen says the terrorists fire at all hours of the day.
"They usually fire in the mornings when the children are going to school and when they're leaving school in the afternoon," said Benmayen. "Sometimes the rockets fall and explode before the alarm even sounds. Hamas chooses when to fire. They'll decide when to fire. We don't choose, it's up to them."
WHNT NEWS 19 spoke with local residents who have come face to face with the terror.
"My car was burned right outside my house from a missile that fell on it on a Sabbath night," said Adina Mastbaum, mother of five. "As a mother, it's very, very scary to know that the lives of my children are in danger and there's nothing to do to secure them."
Of the 12,000 rockets fired at Sderot in the last eight years, 7,000 fell after Israel completely withdrew from its Jewish settlements in Gaza. The 2005 agreement between Israel and the Palestinian territories was supposed to bring peace and end the terror, but since that time the rocket fire has only increased. Israeli officials say many of the rockets are bought and paid for by foreign aid from Israel, the United States, and other countries that are trying to help the Palestinians build infrastructure and provide services. Instead, the terrorist groups divert the funds to acquire rockets. WHNT NEWS 19 spoke with members of the U.S. Congressional delegation who were touring Sderot while our cameras were rolling.
"They (Palestinians) have allowed people to use it as a base to send rockets at innocent women and children and families," said U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-5th District, Maryland). "The Palestinians need to make sure they're not undermining their efforts for peace by others like Hamas and Islamic Jihad who would undermine that security."
North Alabama Congressman Parker Griffith (D-5th District, Alabama) was also part of the delegation. He commented on the terror in Sderot.
"I think it's time to be decisive," said Griffith. "We need to express ourselves in a very decisive way that Israel is our friend."
A recent survey from the Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem shows that roughly half of all Sderot's children aged six and under suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Other studies put the mark much higher.
"You have children that sleep in the hallways of their home because it's the safest place at night," said Shryban. "Children that sleep in between their parents at night, teenagers sleeping with diapers. It's a completely absurd, absurd way of life."
Many of Sderot's residents say the Israeli government has not done enough to bring an end to the attacks. Despite that, most refuse to pack up and leave.
"We believe as the Jewish people that we should be in every part of Israel," said Mastbaum. "It's the land given to us by God as written in the Bible and no terror attack should stop that."
For more information, visit the Sderot Media Center.
