"There Was A Moment When A Rocket Flew Right Over My Head."

A Belarusian in Israel told about the situation in the country.

A few days ago it became known that Israel was ready to launch a military operation against Iran. On Friday, June 13, this happened - a "pre-emptive strike" was launched against Tehran and its environs, as well as other cities. By late afternoon, Israel had already received a response in the form of hundreds of rockets. "Zerkalo" contacted Belarusian activist Nikolai Stagurski, who now lives in this country, and found out how things are going there.

Nikolai Stagurski has been living in the Israeli town of Bat Yam, located near Tel Aviv, for about two years. During this time, he has seen and heard with his own eyes quite a few "arrivals." According to him, the current situation is not particularly different from the "normal" situation.

- Already from the morning [June 13] it was clear: something would happen. But everyone was warned in advance. It's not that we suddenly learned the news that Israel had struck Iran's nuclear facilities. And, accordingly, people were already prepared: they knew that if, say, they received a warning, then they had to go into a protected room. No one is immune from a "flight". This is how it usually happens: the more missiles - the worse.

The missiles did not reach the town where Nikolai lives. However, as he says, he could hear "very well", as the shells hit Tel Aviv and Rishon-le-Tzion (another city nearby, where on the morning of June 14, two people were killed and 19 others were wounded due to shelling)

- There was a moment when a rocket flew right over my head, - the Belarusian describes yesterday's day. - Of course, if you don't follow the recommendations of the military, there will be casualties, of course. But people are constantly sent instructions on the radio, on the phones, what to do and how long the alarm will last. If at this time to sit in a bomb shelter, it really saves lives, these are not empty words.

As Nikolai says, there is no panic among Israelis: no one is "not running and stocking up". Everyone is aware of the need to have a 48-hour supply of food and water in case it is impossible to go outside. But this is, one could say, a common practice in Israel.

- There's certainly no frenzy that everyone needs to run away because a nuclear war is about to break out. Right now I am in the hotel where I came for a vacation: we have half of the pool open, which you can use, people are running around quietly, doing sports. I would not say that there are people, but there are, - describes Nicholas. - What is the recommendation? Listen to the rear commanders. The closer you are to a protected place, the better. And there are a lot of bomb shelters here, so you should hardly worry. If you follow the recommendations - you are saved.

If "there is nowhere to hide at all", then in Israel everyone also knows what to do. In such a case, people are urged to at least just lie down on the ground with their hands over their heads. And then "as luck would have it", Nikolai notes.

- But in any case, you'll stay alive," he believes. - All our stores are working. Today, however, are closed, because the Sabbath, but yesterday grocery stores and shops with vegetables and fruits were open. A shaft of fruit stimulation. Even some bakeries, bakeries continued to work and a couple of cafes, gas stations. Only "McDonald's" is not working, so there's no problem.

According to the Belarusian, he's not going to leave Israel in view of the current situation and regular shelling. At the same time, Nikolai says that if he could earn the same salary somewhere else, he would move - but only for this reason.

- I feel safe in Israel, and I wouldn't say I'm afraid of something. Yes, conditionally, I do not go, for example, to the beach, - admits the interlocutor. - But if I'm near my home, I feel safe, because there is a bomb shelter nearby and I can go down there at any time.

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