The Bane of Wars

A Tale of Resilience and Suffering in Tel Aviv

War is never kind, and its ripple effects are often felt far beyond the battlefield. The recent conflict in Tel Aviv, as chronicled through missile strikes, terror attacks, and military operations, is a stark reminder of the horrors of war and the toll it takes on both soldiers and civilians. 

As Israel marks 361 days of war, the country finds itself grappling with an escalating conflict that spans across its borders, reaching the hearts of its cities and the lives of everyday people. This is not just a military war—it's a psychological, emotional, and existential battle for survival.

The missile attacks from Iran on October 1st, 2024, are a perfect example of how war can disrupt the ordinary. On that day, 181 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel, targeting Tel Aviv, Herzliya, and other central regions. While Israel’s Arrow defense system intercepted most of them, the few that got through caused widespread panic, injuries, and damage. For the people of Tel Aviv, it was another day spent in bomb shelters, another day when children couldn't play outside, and another reminder that life under threat had become their new normal.

War is not just about the physical damage of missiles hitting their mark—it’s about the constant fear that grips a population. For the residents of Tel Aviv, the sound of sirens have become as routine as the sound of traffic. When warnings are issued to stay close to shelters, daily life comes to a standstill. Schools close, beaches are emptied, and community gatherings are restricted. The sense of community, something that is so integral to life in Israel, has become fragmented as constantly people retreat into their homes and shelters.

But that day, just as missiles rained down on Israel from above, terror also struck from within. On that same day, two terrorists launched a brutal attack in Jaffa, killing seven people on a light rail train. The attackers, armed with an M-16 rifle, opened fire on passengers before being neutralized by police. This wasn’t an isolated incident—terror attacks have long been a part of the fabric of war in Israel, and each attack brings with it waves of fear and grief. Families mourn their loved ones, and yet, even in the face of such cruelty, the nation remains defiant.

War is indiscriminate in its cruelty. It affects the soldiers on the frontlines and the civilians in the cities. While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are busy conducting ground operations in Southern Lebanon to dismantle Hezbollah's military infrastructure, the people of Tel Aviv and beyond are living in a constant state of tension. Hezbollah’s tunnels, rocket launchers, and weapons caches are being uncovered and destroyed by elite Israeli units, but these military victories do little to quell the anxiety of civilians who know that at any moment, the conflict could reach their doorstep.

The conflict in Lebanon highlights the relentless nature of war. IDF soldiers risk their lives in targeted ground operations, and despite facing gunfire and counterattacks, they press on to destroy Hezbollah’s capabilities. 

But even these victories on the battlefield are tempered by the knowledge that the war is far from over. The region remains a powder keg, with Iran, Hezbollah, and other actors unwilling to step back from the brink.

War also exposes the strain on leadership. In Israel, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are working tirelessly to coordinate military responses while maintaining public morale. 

It is understood that Israel is fighting a battle on multiple fronts—military, political, and psychological. Gallant often speaks of the need to balance military retaliation with diplomacy, while Netanyahu works with international allies, particularly the United States, to secure intelligence and support. Yet, for all their efforts, war is a beast that cannot be easily tamed.

As if the missile attacks and terror incidents aren't enough, the civilian population bears the brunt of the conflict’s emotional toll. 

Imagine living in a world where bomb shelters are as vital as supermarkets, where sirens can go off at any moment, forcing you to drop everything and run. For Israeli civilians, especially those in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, this is their reality. The constant threat of missile strikes and terror attacks erode the sense of safety that every person deserves to feel in their own home.

Psychological support services have been expanded to help civilians cope with the stress, but even therapy can not fully repair the emotional scars left by the war. 

The feeling of helplessness and the weight of uncertainty are burdens that every citizen carries. Yet, in the midst of such adversity, the resilience of the Israeli people shine through. Communities, though separated by physical distance, come together in spirit. Social media becomes a platform for unity, with people sharing messages of hope and solidarity. 

For all its horror, war has a way of bringing out the best and worst in humanity. In Israel, it's revealed the strength of a people who refuse to give in to terror. It showcases the bravery of soldiers who risk their lives to protect their homeland. But it also lays bare the anguish of those who've lost loved ones, the children who're growing up in shelters, and the families whose lives will never be the same.

The bane of wars is that they never truly end. Even when the fighting stops, the wounds remain. Israel may eventually find peace in this conflict, but the psychological and emotional scars will linger for years to come. 

The cost of war is not just counted in lives lost or cities destroyed—it’s measured in the fear that persists long after the last missile has been fired.

In reflecting on this war, we must ask ourselves: at what point does the price of war outweigh the victories gained? For Israel, the answer may lie in its unshakable resolve to defend itself, to protect its people, and to ensure that the next generation does not have to live in a world defined by missiles and sirens. But as long as the specter of war looms large, the burden of conflict will continue to weigh heavily on the shoulders of both the nation and its people.

War is a curse, not just for those who fight it, but for those who live through it. And as we look to the future, one can only hope that the people of Tel Aviv, and indeed all of Israel, will one day know the peace that they have fought so hard to achieve.