Tension mounts...as life goes on

Fear, anger and defiance under war's looming shadow

- CHRIS HUGHES

MIDDLE EAST CRISIS: ISRAELIS SHARE THEIR VIEWS

TENSION stalked Israel's streets last night as the world awaited its retaliation for Iran's massive missile attack.

Iran's defences are on high alert for an expected Israeli revenge strike, amid fears it could spark an all-out war.

Heavily armed off-duty Israeli security officers are at the ready and many locals believe Israel should strike immediately, defying western pleas for a de-escalation.

All military leave has been cancelled and Israelis are busy buying produce for the forthcoming Passover holiday - whilst worrying about the onset of war.

In Tel Aviv's huge Hakarmel market, opinion varies from "hit them hard now - Israel is stronger than Iran" to "Netanyahu has to go, we need peace again".

Scholar Rami Reich, 29, a member of the biggest Orthodox Jewish sect Habad, told us: "We need to hit them back very hard and we need to do it right now.

"This is the land of Jews and it is the safest of places because God will save us."

Rami, from the city of Rishon Le Zion, south of Tel Aviv, added he would be wary of helping Palestinian civilians fleeing his country's bombardment of the Gaza Strip, because "they might become terrorists". He added: "It's something I will think about. I am not sure." 

While he was the most hawkish of those we spoke to, it is clear Israelis are still reeling from the October 7 attacks, when Hamas killed 1,200 and kidnapped 250.