Everyday life in the West Bank: Giessen assistant leader talks about rocket alarms

Everyday life in the West Bank: Giessen assistant leader talks about rocket alarms

In the West Bank, where tensions between Israel and Iran are rising ever higher, Burghard Schunkert from Giessen has taken on a remarkable task. He runs the “Lifegate” facility for the disabled in Bait Jala. He has lived in Jerusalem for many years and has to deal with the challenges of the conflict every day. “We have to go to the shelter two to three times a day,” says Schunkert about the alarming situation in the region. These attacks, coming from Iran and Yemen, are forcing people to be extra vigilant. When there is a missile alarm, there is usually little time to get to safety, often just eight minutes. Because of the daily alarms, which wake residents up from their sleep, especially at night, the shelters have to be found quickly, which puts an enormous strain on everyday life.

The situation in this crisis area is anything but stable. In recent weeks, the conflict between Israel and Iran has further intensified. Israel has carried out massive airstrikes against Iranian nuclear and military facilities, seen as part of a strategy to combat the growing threat to Iran's nuclear program. Schunkert and the other residents in Bait Jala are direct witnesses to this escalating violence. According to reports from srf.ch, high-ranking military officials and even nuclear scientists were killed in these attacks. “We have to prepare ourselves for the situation to continue to worsen,” says Schunkert.

Security and community in times of crisis

Two shelters were set up in the Schunkert facility to provide residents and employees with a certain level of security. During alarm times, neighbors have the opportunity to come together in these shelters and exchange ideas. “It is important to maintain a certain routine during these times,” said the head of the facility. He and his wife are well prepared and have small backpacks with drinks and snacks ready. “You never know how long you will have to stay in the shelter,” he explains. The constant stress of the alarms means that everyday life must be maintained to some extent even in times of crisis.

However, the international tensions also have a direct impact on Schunkert's life. Planned trips to Germany have already been canceled due to airspace closures and security risks. He was supposed to take a flight in July that cannot take place now. “We have to wait and see how the situation develops,” he says resignedly.

The numbers speak for themselves: Countless rocket attacks were registered on Israel in the period from 2021 to 2025, highlighting the general insecurity in the region. According to Statista, the situation in the Middle East is dynamic and is perceived by many as potentially explosive. Given the ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions, which are also widely discussed in the media, it remains to be seen how the people in the region will continue to deal with this tense situation.

Overall, it is clear that everyday life in the West Bank is characterized by constant vigilance. This not only affects Burghard Schunkert's work in the facility for the disabled, but also the entire social structure in the region. “We can only hope that peace will soon come,” sums up Schunkert, who continues to stick to his values ​​despite all adversities.