Missile strikes, tensions rise and parents are left in a state of fear

Rockets blaring through the sky over the weekend resulted in Israeli defense forces striking down dozens of targets in Gaza. Four people in Israel have been killed by rockets that were launched from Gaza. Twenty-three have been killed in Gaza, with eight being members of the Quds Brigade.

My heart sinks every time Gaza launches rockets, which fortunately missed my son who is stationed nearby; though three soldiers in his base were injured, none seriously.

It’s a parent’s worst nightmare to have their children be in harm’s way. Being in the military is an honor for my son, but as a parent, it’s about living in continual fear as rockets hit my son’s base. He can be severely injured, he may die – it’s a real fear. This especially hit home when three soldiers on his base were injured from a rocket – none seriously.

But it’s not a fear that is going to go away any time soon.

Missile barrages from Gaza have led to the dreaded red alert sirens that no one wants to hear. Ashkelon marks Memorial Day following the blasts this weekend. The military cemetery was filled with people on Wednesday visiting their loved ones they have lost.

Grieving parents, brothers and sisters stood alongside each other, and it’s a fear that every parent has when they have children in the IDF. These grieving parents could easily be me, or you if your child is hit by a missile.

There’s some solace in knowing that if my son is ever injured, it is for a purpose. Looking at the weekend’s attacks, one man was killed in his home when a rocket hit it. There was no purpose in that. He was enjoying his life, going through his day, and then he was gone.

It’s a horrifying thought, and I try to find some form of solace in knowing that my son is protecting Israel like so many other men and women.

Terror groups in Palestine warn that the violence may continue, as Netanyahu announces that the Gaza campaign is not over. These groups are demanding that a ceasefire agreement be honored or that violence could soon resume.

There is no peace, and even when there is, the peace is short-lived.

Ramifications lead us to the same cycle of violence and fear as a parent. There’s nothing that I can do aside from trying to go on with my life, working, staying active and going out on dates. No matter what I do, there’s nothing that I can do to keep my child out of harm’s way.

It’s all up to fate, and if I allow it to consume me, I will live in a state of fear that leaves me awake at night and barely living life. I can hope for political changes that will help ease tensions, but I know that it’s many of these promises that are leading to violence.

Israel had agreed to loosen restrictions in the territory back in November in a deal that was brokered by Egypt. Concessions that have been agreed upon have not been made, so the only option left is to hold politicians accountable for their promises. It’s time that the fear transfer from parents and soldiers to politicians that have been allowed to make promises they never intended on keeping.

But it’s a change that won’t happen overnight. Smartphone alerts will continue, air-raid sirens will howl and people will be back inside of their shelters hoping for a ceasefire.