The killing of Fuad Shukur, a senior Hezbollah commander, and Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’ political bureau, has brought tensions in the Middle East to the highest level. Following repeated vows of revenge from Iran, Israelis are spending their last days stockpiling canned food, alcohol, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers. They are also choosing to stay home instead of going out.
ICE CREAM SALES EXPLODED AFTER THE HANİYE ASSASSINATION
The Yedioth Ahronot newspaper published a report on the preparations made by the Israelis in the atmosphere of increasing anxiety. According to the report, ice cream sales increased by 260 percent after the Haniyeh assassination. The most demanded product after ice cream was canned foods such as tuna, corn and pickles, with a 140 percent increase.
CAFES, RESTAURANTS ARE CATCHING FLIES
Israelis have been avoiding restaurants and cafes in recent days, with one popular restaurant in Tel Aviv seeing a 50% drop in weekend bookings.
HOME PIZZA ORDERS INCREASED
Orders from pizza restaurants have also increased. The increase in orders reached 40 percent over the weekend. This increase was due to Israelis choosing to eat pizza at home instead of going out at night.
THEY STARTED TO DRINK MORE
The increase in demand for alcoholic beverages by anxious Israelis has been striking. The report quoted the manager of a bar in the central Israeli city of Rishon Lezion as saying that bar patrons, seeking relief from their worries, have started drinking more.
“CRAZY” INCREASE IN DEMANDS FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS
Israelis are also increasingly seeking psychological support. In the past few days, it has become increasingly difficult to get an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist, with the average cost of a session rising to 450 shekels ($122.5). According to one psychologist, there has been a “crazy” increase in demand for psychological counseling, forcing psychologists to work long hours. The country has also seen a 30 percent increase in demand for sleeping pills and tranquilizers.
Thousands of Israelis have been stranded abroad as many international airlines have suspended flights to Tel Aviv, and many Israelis have made reservations to travel abroad through airlines that have maintained flights, such as Corendon Europe.
Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran, the capital of Iran
HANİYE AND ŞÜKÜR ASSASSINATIONS CAME IN ONE AFTER THE OTHER
Fuad Shukur, one of Hezbollah’s top commanders, was killed in an attack by the Israeli army in Beirut on July 30.
Hamas Political Bureau Chairman Ismail Haniyeh was also assassinated in Tehran, the capital of Iran, on July 31.
The Tel Aviv administration announced that it “expected a strong response” from Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Iran following the killing of Hezbollah’s senior commander Shukur in an airstrike in Beirut and the assassination of Hamas leader Haniyeh in Tehran. (AA)