Also, I just wish they'd decided if it's war or not already.

It's kindda like the feeling that was in Lebanon all over those years, right? I think I was too young to understand every aspect of it, but it's that feeling.

Also, I just read this: "Reports of falls near Gan Yavne and the Ashdod interchange. Nothing confirmed yet - heard explosions, no located rockets yet - but it seems the 30km line is officially crossed".

The bus I'm taking from Be'er Sheva to Jerusalem has about 20 minute ride 20 km from the Strip. I don't know how much from the ride is within the 40 km zone.

And with all the stuff your family has been going through lately, it can't make things easier, you know?

Oh, tell me about it. My dad was a little bit pissed off about how dying relatives are somehow more news than his daughter in Gaza Strip (and one of those relatives is his father!), and I was like "seriously? You're doing "Who Has More Pain in His Life Right Now competition?". My dad, the 4 year old.

And let me know if you want me to jump on a bus and come to Jerusalem, OK?

Oh, sweetie. I wish I had the time, but between not-really-being-able-to-concentrate and the piles of uni, this is as much distraction I can afford at the moment. Not that I refuse hugs and your presence.

And thank you all. I know there's not a lot to say, if all. It's fine. It's not like there is a lot of content behind the mass of words I'm typing here about this situation as is. {smiles at Buffistas}

It's kindda like the feeling that was in Lebanon all over those years, right?

I'm too young to remember how it felt when it all started, but it was a constant worry for a very long time. The difficult part emotionally is not always the difficult part technically, if that makes sense. Not for the soldiers, the decision-makers or the families (as was obvious in the second Lebanon war, two years ago).

I don't know how much from the ride is within the 40 km zone.

Israel just has this tiny waist. Everything is nearby, in terms of east and west, here.

(If you're worried, by the way, you could probably take the bus to Tel Aviv, and a bus to Jerusalem from there - it goes by the other route to Jerusalem, I forget the number of the roads.)

[Edit:

this is as much distraction I can afford at the moment

No worries. The offer still stands, though, if you need hugs and ice-cream in person. Also, sometimes, we really need those kinds of distractions. At least me.]

[Another Edit: sorry, y'all, for the depressing life-stuff. I don't wanna spoil anybody's holiday season, if I can help it.]

but it was a constant worry for a very long time. The difficult part emotionally is not always the difficult part technically, if that makes sense.

Yes, I remember this. I was living with my family in the north for the final 4 years in Lebanon, staying at the shelter every now and then, hearing the helicopters bringing the wounded and dead from the war/coming back from attacks. We knew something was happening before the news reported anything, usually, because of the noise they made.

If you're worried, by the way, you could probably take the bus to Tel Aviv, and a bus to Jerusalem from there - it goes by the other route to Jerusalem, I forget the number of the roads

Oh, I'm not that worried about me - I'm more worried about my parents being worried about me. Good thing I never told them how much Arabic I hear around when I'm walking to university (along with Shuafat, there's an Arab-Israeli village really near by). And I think the bus from Tel Aviv to Be'er Sheva also drives near Kiryat Gat - kindda hard to avoid...

I'm glad for the updates, it helps dampen my worry.

Confirmed: 3 rockets in Ashdod. Trying to figure out how far it is from the Strip. Edit: 35 kms.

C'mon, sis. Bring your rocket-preventing-mojo. I'm sure she's preventing a hell lot of launches at the moment.

They're also gonna extend Hanukkah's school holiday in the Gaza surrounding area.

kindda hard to avoid

Yeah, kinda what I meant, with the tiny waist and all.

And Laga, thanks.

I appreciate the updates, too. I am very worried. A few years ago when Lebanon and Israel were at "war" (I don't know if it was ever officially declared), there was an absolutely inspiring and fascinating thread on another board I used to frequent (back when I traveled a lot), flyertalk.com. There was a poster who was Lebanese and one who was Israeli, and they had been planning a face-to-face when the fighting started. So there was this incredibly touching thread where we watched two people on opposite sides of the conflict remind us all of their humanity and love and respect in the face of atrocity. The thread even made the New York Times.

Now I am reminded of it because I have never felt close to war as when my loved ones are in the middle of it. And you're our loved ones and it's scary.

Update:

Israel attacked Hamas government offices. Mash'al calls to third intifada (umm. Please no?). Abu Mazen calls to talking (please yes!). More rockets launches towards Israel.

Update: IDF says people in Be'er Sheva, Yanve and Gedera have to make sure they have safe/secured rooms in their homes (I have no idea how to translated it - Nilly? - it's a more secured room in case of getting hit).

My parents house is miles away, but I wonder what's our secured room. Ever since I moved south, I can't recall any home with secured room. I have a shelter in my building in Jerusalem - I think it's ready in case of, too. Though there will be no interwebs there, which is a major downside.

Edit: more update: rocket in Ashkelon, now 40km from the Strip. I think one of the rockets in Ashdod hit a power station - they're reporting there are blackouts in Israel, and that there is a failure in Ashdod power station. I hope it's not a rocket.

Also, I'm not sure what is happening with the dead Fatah prisoners in Gaza Strip.

Update #3: I heard jet planes over my house. Nothing on the news yet. Riots in East Jerusalem, causing police closing roads.