Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
France 24
France 24
World
Luke SHRAGO

'Empty streets and closed shops': On Israel's border with Gaza, Sderot becomes a ghost town

A street view of the border town of Sderot in Israel. © Screen capture, FRANCE 24

Sderot, Israel – The Israeli city of Sderot near the border with Gaza is home to more than 30,000 people, but some 90 percent have already fled as rocket fire from Hamas rains down sporadically. A FRANCE 24 team on the ground met up with some of the residents who remain. 

Sderot resident Eduard has armed himself with pepper spray and a knife in case of an attack by Hamas fighters.

“But if they’ve got guns, it’s not going to help much,” he admitted.

Eduard has lived in Sderot for more than 20 years. He has chosen to stay in the town to look after his infirm, 80-year-old father after sending his wife and children north to safety.

Israeli volunteers have travelled to the town to provide aid to those unable to leave. Determined to help, the volunteers will continue to travel to Sderot over the next few days.

Click on the video player above to watch the full report. 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.