Safe Room

Freedom is not free: Passover 5786 in the shadow of war - opinion

This Passover, Jews sit at the Seder table amid sirens, reflecting on freedom, oppression, and existential threats in today’s world.

|ByJEFFREY KAHN
Passover Seder plate with alternative fillings.
An illustrative image of a public safe room in Israel, requiring the ability to climb down a narrow flight of stairs.

How safe are Israel’s safe rooms? - analysis

Following the tragedies last year in Petah Tikva, the Home Front Command explained that this was an extreme event and that safe rooms cannot withstand direct hits.

|ByARIK MIROVSKY/GLOBES/TNS
An Israeli family seen in their safe room in central Israel is atttacked by ballistic missiles fired from Iran. June 23, 2025.

Why Israelis living through this moment may be the lucky ones - opinion

The going is rough. But those who go through rough times that lead to much better days are – when people look back decades later – often considered the lucky ones.

|ByHERB KEINON
(L TO R) Ana Vincenti, Moe Braun, Martin Winiar, and Hanna Castiel TLV fan Stav Setty.

Live from the mamad: Laughter is the best medicine amid war

Even comedic masters of timing don’t stand a chance if their set is interrupted by air raid sirens. 

|ByABIGAIL KLEIN LEICHMAN

Government promotes quick use of buildings as shelters in northern cities

Construction and Housing minister announces swift plan, costing millions, to use buildings as shelters in the North due to neglected existing ones.

NOVEMBER 7, 2023ByOFER PETERSBURG

Live in a private house without a building permit? Construction permit in two weeks

Detached houses are eligible for expedited Safe Room permits, with online applications, ensuring approval in just 14 days.

NOVEMBER 6, 2023ByOFER PETERSBURG

Sderot man treated for pulmonary embolism from long stay in safe room

Hadassah cardiologists saved a man from Sderot after the first documented case of pulmonary embolism from sitting in a safe room for too long, moving in cramped spaces recommended

NOVEMBER 6, 2023ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Prof. Eyal Herzog, F. recuperating in cardiac intensive care unit, and Dr. Gabbi Elbaz.

Gov't approves building 800 apartments with safe rooms in Ashkelon

National Committee approves construction of 800 new apartments in Ashkelon, boosting urban renewal efforts and providing protected housing units for the city's residents.

NOVEMBER 6, 2023ByOFER PETERSBURG

Knesset eases laws to allow people to easily build safe rooms

Previously, adding an extension of any kind to an apartment required the consensus of at least 60% of all the building’s or house’s residents.

OCTOBER 30, 2023ByARIELLA MARSDEN
CHILDREN ARE forced to spend time in a safe room in Ashkelon as rockets are fired from the Gaza Strip.