18th Jan
At lunch there was a definite atmosphere about the place. Some members showed concern for us lowly volunteers. "How are you?", "Did you manage OK?" they asked. Very surprising.

On the way up to the dining hall for the Shabbat meal, had a feeling that something was gonna happen Don't know how, just felt it.

8pm. Volunteer next door (crazed American war freak) opened my door and said, "Siren's gone off!" Couldn't hear anything though. Seconds later the kibbutz siren sounded. Quick, quick. Get sweat-top, on with jacket, take gas mask, make sure all other volunteers are up and about, down to shelter. Once in, seal the door.
Everybody's hyper. Calm down a little... relax. Right, on with the radio. Listen. Volunteer leader's here so it's OK, she can translate for us. Another announcement. Time to put on mask. But it's only a false alarm, so five minutes later we're packing them away. Finally got to sleep at 2am.

19th Jan
Next thing I know, someone's pounding on my door. "Siren! siren!" he said. Half asleep, I replied, "Yeh, yeh. fuck off. I can't hear it. Open the door." Few seconds later (door sticks) it opens. There goes the dreaded sound - up and down. Jumped out of bed into my jeans. "Bollocks, bollocks." Got dressed, picked up gas mask, out and down to bomb shelter still dazed. Boy, did I feel rough! Didn't bother with having a wash - no time for vanity. Masks on. Five or ten minutes. Masks off, except for those people living in area between Hadera and Ashkelon (south of us.)

Missiles hit.

So, damage so far - first night of attack:
Haifa - missiles sent, two hit the sea.
Tel Aviv - missiles sent, minor damage. 5 slight injuries. 5 people die (forgot to take off protective cover on mask filter. Suffocated.) Few people in hospital due to injection of (not needed) atropine!!
Second attack - Tel Aviv hit 3 times, one on a disused bunker. 14 minor injuries around blast area. One missile hit a bank, didn't explode. Third landed in a poor suburb of Tel Aviv. Felt sure there'd be another attack tonight. Only another false alarm though.