SDEROT, Israel – Sderot's open-air market is bustling for the first time in a month, thanks to newfound quiet following Israel's punishing offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Many residents of this rocket-scarred town say they see the operation against Hamas as a long-overdue military success — but also believe the good times will be short-lived.
"There is no victory here, only quiet," said Eli Asayag, 55.
Sderot is less than a mile from Gaza, a frequent target for the homemade rockets from militants there over the past eight years. Thousands have exploded in this town of 20,000, traumatizing residents and damaging many houses and businesses. Six people have been killed and a few dozen wounded.
The satisfaction here with the Israeli military's performance is coupled with the despair of continuing to live in the shadow of violence. People see the recent offensive as a corrective after the inconclusive, frustrating war against Hezbollah guerrillas in 2006, and a stirring example of national unity.
But they also see it as a successful round in a match many expect will continue indefinitely.
"If this brings us a half-year of quiet or a year, it's good. If it brings us 10 years, it's great. But we never forget that Gaza will always be our neighbor, and as long as Hamas is in control there, we will be in danger," said David Buskila, the town's mayor.
Hagit Didi, a mother of three, left Sderot six months ago because of the rocket fire, relocating to the nearby town of Netivot — only to find herself in danger there when the range of Hamas rockets increased.
"There won't be quiet here for long. How can you defeat people like this?" she said. Her 8-year-old son has grown up with the rockets and has never slept anywhere but with her in her bed, Didi said.
During the fighting, Shimon Elmaliach, 41, who sells women's boots in the market, took his wares to Tel Aviv, where women bought boots they didn't need simply because he was from Sderot.
"They did it to express solidarity," he said. "Our unity — that was our victory."
During the fighting, Israelis out of rocket range volunteered to take in people displaced by the violence, and there was an outpouring of support for Israeli troops.
In Nahal Oz, a communal farm a few hundred yards from the Gaza border fence and within eyesight of Gaza City suburbs, residents say the years of rocket fire are slowly killing their community. They are not confident the offensive will effect real change.
Two Israeli-made Merkava tanks stand between Nahal Oz and Gaza, pointing their cannons into the Palestinian territory. Several dozen tanks remain in rows in a staging ground nearby in case the week-old cease-fire falls apart.
"We very much wanted this operation, not because we are warmongers but because we have lived with this reality for years," said Yemima Barnea, who is in charge of bringing new families to the community. Her job has become virtually impossible.
She said the Israeli offensive was very successful.
"But if we ask if it had a real change in our ability to look ahead to a better future, that's hard for us."
Still not everyone is pessimistic.
Ofer Shmerling, who runs a restaurant nearby, calls the operation's results "excellent." Until a few days ago, he displayed a sign reading, "We won."
Hamas realized it had pushed Israel too far, he said.
Israel's Arab enemies, especially the Hamas allies and Lebanese militants of Hezbollah, were too afraid to do anything more than make angry speeches, he said.
"When the Jews go crazy, everyone else goes quiet."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090125/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_unfinished_war
Topic: In Gaza campaign, Israelis see a temporary success (Read 504 times)