As Israel and Iran traded fire on Monday in the most serious escalation since a shaky ceasefire in April, war-weary Israelis fell back on familiar routines from the last round of war with a sense of resignation and apathy. In the morning, they ran for shelter as missile alerts blared. Afterward, some stayed home and while others ran errands or took their kids to the park, seeking to maintain some normalcy.
In Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial and cultural hub, the usually bustling streets were more subdued than normal, with fewer customers at shops and other businesses than regular weekdays. The muted atmosphere stood in contrast to the festive, rainbow-colored decorations that adorned the city ahead of its annual Pride parade, scheduled for June 12.
