Above Sderot's bustling commercial center, situated at one of the city's entrances, scores of residents awoke to the shrill wails of sirens on the morning of Saturday, October 7. Within moments, the terrifying sound of gunfire echoed through the streets as terrorists descended upon the city.
Peering out of their windows, the residents in the apartment complex above the commercial center found it hard to fathom what their eyes beheld: Hordes of terrorists, armed to the teeth and riding in vans, freely roamed the streets.
They showed no mercy
They showed no mercy as they unleashed mayhem, targeting anyone in their path—women, children, men, civilians, law enforcement, and rescue personnel. New footage captured from their vantage point vividly illustrates the horrors of that fateful morning.
A young resident, identified as A., shared his account of the day's events.
He resides in the complex with fellow students and was jolted awake by the blaring alarm and the sound of gunshots. Swiftly regaining his composure, he called his parents, urging them to remain indoors. Inside the complex, elderly residents, some requiring special care, were also roused from their slumber. In a matter of minutes, all the tenants were up and realized the urgent need for protection.
Consequently, they formed armed tenant groups within the complex.
'Anyone caught in their line of fire had no chance'
"We had many elderly residents, some of whom were oblivious to the unfolding chaos outside, while others had to be gently restrained from venturing out. There was one man with dementia, to whom we had to repeatedly explain the presence of terrorists downstairs. But after a few minutes, he attempted to head to the streets, prompting us to swiftly guide him back to his apartment," recounted A.
"Even when we spotted a police car outside, we understood that venturing out was perilous. Engaging them was simply impossible. The terrorists arrived in vans, each one brimming with weaponry. Six terrorists were crammed into each vehicle. Anyone caught in their line of fire had no chance.
"It's unimaginable unless you witness it firsthand. We remained hunkered down in our homes until soldiers and police finally arrived around noon, neutralizing the threat. The sense of helplessness is etched in our memories. Fortunately, the terrorists never suspected our presence since the front of the complex houses an empty commercial center, especially on Saturdays."