At 02.56 we received a warning on our phones about a 5-magnitude earthquake, but we didn't feel any tremors. A moment later we got back on the bus and started our way to the airport, not realizing that the real shock was coming from another source - at that time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a video address that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had launched a large-scale operation to destroy Iran's nuclear program, because there was reason to believe that the Islamic Republic was preparing to build a nuclear bomb and there was no hope for a diplomatic solution. A lion rising to defend itself.

At 03:15, about 15 minutes after leaving the hotel, the bus driver received a message that Ben Gurion Airport was closed, all flights were canceled, and we had to return indoors because of the expected Iranian retaliation. I was overcome with confusion and a feeling of helplessness, because after a physically and especially emotionally exhausting week, I couldn’t wait to return home.

There was a bit of chaos at the hotel - entire groups and families who had come to Tel Aviv to relax on the beach were rushing to check out of the hotel and go home in the middle of the night, dressed in pajamas. But first, they too had to visit the shelter.