'It's like a volcano erupted in our home,' says survivor of direct rocket strike
Direct hit on home in Netivot causes major damage but family kept safe in protected area; neighbor says she saw flames, reinforces message that no one should be complacent when sirens sound
The Hadad family of the southern town of Netivot had a narrow escape Tuesday when their home sustained a direct hit by a rocket from nearby Gaza. Thanks to the family's vigilance, no one was hurt in the attack.
Hundreds of rockets have been fired at Israeli communities as far north as Tel Aviv since Tuesday morning, after the targeted killing of Islamic Jihad commander Baha Abu al-Atta in a predawn IDF airstrike in the Gaza Strip.
"We immediately realized the rocket had landed inside the house, " Batsheva Hadad says.
"As soon as we came out, I saw a hole in the kitchen ceiling and another in the dining room. It's like a volcano erupted inside our house," Batsheva says, adding that she could not stop crying from the shock.
The Hadad family are grieving a daughter recently lost to cancer.
"I had a bad feeling yesterday. I have not been well," she tells the media.
The Hadads' neighbor Na'ama Davidi says two sirens went off in quick succession.
"I did not make it to safety on the first, but did reach the protected area as the second siren blared," she says.
"I saw flames from my window and I was sure my house was hit," she says.
"My message to everyone is to take all necessary precautions and run to the protected areas. I used to be complacent too, but not anymore."
