Ashdod deputy mayor highlights civilian resilience under ongoing missile and drone attacks.
NEW DELHI: Rising tensions between Israel and Iran have placed Israel under a sustained wave of missile and drone attacks, even as authorities continue working to maintain essential services and protect civilians across the country.
While speaking with The Sunday Guardian, the deputy mayor of Ashdod, Israel’s sixth-largest city, Eli Nacht, said Israel is currently operating under constant security pressure but remains firmly focused on ensuring the safety of its civilian population.
Nacht said Israel has been facing repeated missile and drone strikes in recent days. Although the country’s multi-layered air defense systems successfully interpret the majority of incoming threats, he acknowledged that no defense mechanism can offer complete protection.
“Even if a single missile manages to bypass the defense systems, the damage it can cause within seconds can be severe,” he said.
He stressed that safeguarding civilian lives continues to be Israel’s highest priority amid the ongoing hostilities. Emergency response networks across the country remain on heightened alert, with rescue teams, hospitals, and emergency services functioning round the clock.
Public shelters remain accessible to residents, while nationwide early warning systems continue to alert communities about potential incoming attacks. According to Nacht, citizens are closely adhering to instructions issued by the country’s civil defence authorities, demonstrating strong discipline and public awareness.
Despite the continued threat of attacks, Nacht noted that Israeli society has managed to keep functioning. Government institutions remain operational, daily activities continue in many parts of the country, and communities have come together to support victims as well as members of the security forces. Emergency medical services, rescue units, and local administrations are fully mobilised nationwide, ensuring rapid response to any incident where a missile or drone manages to breach the defence systems.
“The Israeli public is exhausted, but their determination remains strong,” Nacht said, pointing out that Israelis have lived under security threats since the early years of the state. “Even so, the resilience of the people continues to stand out.”
He added that communities throughout the country have been helping one another, with volunteers stepping forward to assist victims, soldiers, and families affected by the attacks. Nacht also said there is a growing understanding among Israelis that the current situation goes beyond a routine escalation of violence. “This moment is widely seen as a turning point that could shape the security dynamics of Israel and the broader region for many years ahead,” he said.
