Escalation on the Southern Border

In recent hours there has been a significant escalation in the security situation in southern Israel. Terrorist organizations have been firing incessant rocket barrages from the Gaza Strip into population centers in the south of the country.In response, the IDF has attacked targets in the Gaza Strip, and the Home Front Command has issued directives to various areas in the south of the country, some of which are only 20 kilometers from Beit Shemesh.Home Front Command Beit Shemesh area (area 188): If you hear a siren, you have about a minute and a half at most to rush to the nearest shelter or protected area and you should stay there for ten minutes.Choosing a secure space is based on the amount of time available to enter from the moment the alarm sounds or an explosion is heard, according to the following order of priority:1. Mamad (Apartment Secure Space, found within an apartment) or Mamak (Level Secure Space, found on each floor of a building) are the preferred types of secure space.2. Sheltera. Apartment Shelter – If that the shelter is inside the building and can be reached by means of an interior staircase, without dependence on the length of the warning time.b. Public Shelter – If the shelter can be reached in the time allotted, from moment the alarm sounds.3. Interior Stairwella. Tenants of top-floor apartments in buildings over three stories high who do not have an interior Mamad, Mamak, or shelter should go down two stories and remain in the stairwell. In buildings with more than three floors the most secure space is in the stairwell between any two floors, except for the space between the ground floor and the first floor and between the roof and the top two floors.b. Tenants of top-floor apartments in buildings three stories high who do not have an interior Mamad, Mamak, or shelter should go down one story and remain in the stairwell. In three-storey buildings the most secure space is in the stairwell at the second floor level.NOTE:● In emergencies, leave the entrance door open for people outdoors to enter.● DO NOT choose the shower or restroom (W.C.) as a secure space. Distance yourself from ceramics, porcelain, and glass that might shatter.● Residents are not permitted to remain in the entrance lobbies of the buildings because of the danger of flying glass slivers and shock waves from missiles that land close to the building.In light of the situation an emergency hotline for Olim is operating 24/7 in English, Russian, Amharic, French, and Spanish.Call *2994 now and get the assistance you need!Click here for a map of protection zones as well as instructions in case of a siren: http://bit.ly/2qKUWn2