Day 7: Hospitals and Miracles

Today started with a bang. Literally. After a relatively quiet night, we were woken up at 7am by sirens, and not long after, the horrifying news that Soroka Hospital had been hit. So had the Diamond District. Several civilian buildings were destroyed. These images do something to you - seeing so much of our beloved country in ruins. And after growing optimism that Iran’s ability to hurt us is diminishing, it felt like we had taken ten steps back.

And yet, somehow, no one was killed. And that’s where our focus needs to be. On the miracle of our current existence.
The hospital department that was struck had been evacuated just yesterday. Yesterday. And so yes, there are a few injuries, and it’s shaken us to our core (obviously with zero world condemnation), but the fact that this is one of the worst stories - that’s the context we need to remember. Hundreds of missiles. Thousands of drones. We could have been in a much worse position right now.

It’s tempting to think this war is starting to fade, that the worst is behind us - but not yet. This morning, Iran introduced a new type of weapon: a rocket that fragments mid-air into over 20 submunitions, each one capable of detonating across an eight-kilometer radius. These are cluster bombs, especially dangerous in civilian areas. Iran promised an escalation - and this might be it. If you see a strange metal fragment on the ground, don’t touch it. Call 100. But most importantly: get into a bomb shelter when you hear the siren.

65% There

Our government has been visiting the hit locations all day and has promised to make them pay. But let’s be honest - they already are.
As of today, Israel has destroyed 65% of Iran’s launchers. Every time they try to rebuild, we catch them and strike again. The intensity of our counterattacks is only growing. We’ve taken out more nuclear sites, more missile labs, and today we even hit one of their regime-linked universities. We’re also hitting their power infrastructure. Large sections of Iran are now without electricity, as hopes for an internal revolution grow. Eliminating Khamenei is also now officially a war goal. But these things take time - and while Israel has been remarkably efficient, some things still demand patience. Like Trump.

He announced today that he’ll decide within two weeks whether America will join the war. Maybe it’s a political calculation. Maybe he’s stalling. Maybe he just doesn’t want to commit yet. But whatever the reason, Israel has made it crystal clear: we may not have the air range to reach Fordow on our own - but there are other ways to get there.

War still rages in Gaza, up north, and in the West Bank, but there are no major developments just yet - so thankfully, we can focus on the one major war for now. That’s more than enough, tbh.
Meanwhile, on the ground here, the reality is setting in - or more like the lack of reality. It’s Covid all over again. The uncertainty, the not-knowing-when-this-ends - it’s driving people nuts. Me included. Jews everywhere are scrambling to make new summer plans and to help get Israelis back home.

One Israeli in particular made it. Idan Alexander landed back in New Jersey to loud, celebratory crowds today - on one of the emergency flights out, alongside other diplomats and priority passengers. More emergency flights have been announced in the coming days. But please - if you’re trying to leave - don’t fall for scams. I’ve been hearing horror stories about people taking 30-hour dinghies to Cyprus.

• In Bat Yam, the last missing person from the missile strike earlier this week was identified today. He was the fifth member of the Ukrainian family killed in that attack.

• There are reports that Witkoff has been in quiet talks with Iran’s foreign minister, who is now headed to Europe to try and secure some kind of diplomatic deal. It doesn’t look promising.

• And internally, Israel still doesn’t have a permanent head of the Shin Bet - due to Supreme Court delays and internal wrangling. That position is obviously critical right now, and it looks like the government is finally prioritizing it.

That said, something strange is happening. For the first time in what feels like years, Israel’s left and right-wing leadership are actually… cooperating. It shouldn’t take a war for us to come together. But it did. And here we are.

We’re not out of this yet. But something has shifted. The missiles keep coming - but so do the miracles. And the heroes. And the unity.
And as always, we keep moving forward. With clarity. With emuna. And without fear.

Stay safe, stay sane.
Meira