Over the last several days there has been an escalation of tensions in southern Israel: 160 Kassam missiles have been fired at Sderot and the western Negev in just four days. Residents of Sderot report hearing strong explosions, and the "Code Red" warning system is frequently heard throughout the city. Last Friday, two Kassam missiles fell near a daycare center in the city.

Last week, representatives of Magbit Canada held roundtable meetings with our partners and project operators in the city, as Kassam missiles continually fell outside. Representatives from our partner agencies requested that the meeting take place despite the escalation. This served to maintain a semblance of normalcy for their families and for the participants in their various programs, as well as to display much-needed solidarity and support for Sderot.

Approximately 30% of Sderot residents are regular clients of Sderot's welfare services, but in times of extreme tension, the number of calls for help multiply exponentially. Local social workers report that each time the situation deteriorates, more and more people call in complaining of anxiety and calling on the municipality for support. In the past, calls came in from people who were near the locus of the attack; today, residents from across the city, those who heard but did not feel or see the impact, also call in complaining of fear and anxiety.

The local welfare department employs about 50 people in Sderot, of which 20 are social workers. When the tension escalates, the social workers are required to be on-call 24 hours a day, in case of emergency. A local hotline is also available for residents, which, they report, rings continually.

The municipal department of education did a survey last Friday and discovered that most classrooms and daycares were empty: only 28% of students came to school on Friday, and only 48% of children to their daycares.

High school students are also suffering from the current tensions, especially now, during the period preceding winter matriculation examinations. In order to help them with their studies, 11th and 12th grade students are spending the week at the "Beit Yatziv" guest house in Beersheva, where they are studying for the week and where they will also take their history matriculation exams.