For some residents of Iran and Israel, the recent week of fighting has forced a heartbreaking choice: stay in their homes or leave for safety. Remaining often means living with constant danger of injury or death, with only the hope of survival and persistent anxiety as companions.
While fleeing to safer areas within the country or abroad might seem like the obvious solution, numerous obstacles make it inaccessible for many. The logistical challenges are daunting and can come with enormous financial costs. For example, some Israelis have chartered yachts to make a perilous 20-hour journey to Cyprus, seeking safety away from the conflict zone.
In Tel Aviv, despite the danger, many residents refuse to abandon their city. Instead, they are moving underground to escape the threat of missile strikes. The Papirany family, spanning three generations, now lives beneath the Dizengoff Centre, one of the city’s largest malls. Their home remains intact, but recent missile hits a few hundred meters away have heightened their fears about future attacks.
“I’ve never heard anything like this before,” said Tracey Papirany. “There were jets in the sky, like a dogfight, and we heard loud booms. Then, suddenly, a big explosion, and everyone yelled and grabbed each other.” The ongoing conflict continues to force families like theirs to weigh the risks of staying versus leaving, often under the most difficult circumstances.
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