2 km from the Gaza Strip, the ghost town of Sderot

It’s hard to imagine that people can still live in Sderot, which has the feel of a ghost town. Its 30,000 residents have almost all been relocated to hotels elsewhere in the country, but a small number have decided to stay despite the danger. Sderot is located in southern Israel, very close to the border with Gaza where the Israeli army is leading an offensive.

In the distance, the sounds of bombs ring out. Yaël is the only resident of her street littered with debris: “Honestly, I don’t know what I should be afraid of. I have my dog ​​with me, when someone comes near he starts barking and I lock myself in the safe room, for the rest, there is God to protect us from missiles“, explains the retiree.

A center is available to these rare inhabitants, where they can obtain food. Because almost all the businesses have lowered their curtains. All, except the small supermarket that Marc: “Of course it’s important for me to stay open, especially when everyone else is closed, he assures, “It gives soldiers a place to rest and find what they need.”

“It’s hard, as soon as it gets dark, I lock myself in my house and stay in the dark, because I’m afraid of attracting attention and being spotted.”

Rebecca, resident returned to Sderot

at franceinfo

Others, like Rebecca, tried to flee Sderot after the Hamas attack, before returning a few days later, to a ghost town: “It’s scary here, but leaving scares me even more. I spend my days sitting outside, listening to music.” Rebecca adds that her neighbors, like many residents, will not return until Hamas is eradicated.