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Last update - 14:57 30/12/2008 No rest for the shell-shocked in Ashkelon shelters By Fadi Eyadat Tags: Israel News, Hamas, Gaza  Dozens of bomb shelters in Ashkelon designed to serve hundreds of individuals and families are not ready for even short-term habitation. The shelters are foul-smelling, dark and decrepit. Some of the residents have resorted to taking shelter in stairwell, even though they are unfortified, and others simply choose to remain in their homes. At issue are private shelters located in the city's poorer neighborhoods. A residential building on Hagalil Street holds eight households for the elderly, new immigrants and single-parent families. Advertisement "We don't go down to the shelters," said Miri Levy, a disabled mother of two young girls. "We stay at home and pray that the rockets don't fall on us. The girls go to the stairwell sometimes, but it's open and unprotected." Yelena Glick, who lives with her chronically ill mother in the same building, has entered the shelter only once. "You can't be down there even for a second," she said. "Since then, I've gone into the stairwell and my mother has stayed in bed." Many of the shelters do not have light or ventilation. Iron bars protrude from the ceiling, and the floor tiles are cracked. According to Ashkelon municipal law, responsibility for maintaining the shelters falls on residents themselves, as the buildings are private property. "Tenants here don't have money. Home Front Command came here three months ago, saw the shelters, wrote in their notebooks and promised to come back. Since then we haven't seen them," said resident Eli Kronfeld, who moved his family to stay with relatives in Hadera. The closest shelter to Kronfeld's home is 200 meters away. "I'm not at the age that I can get there in 30 seconds, certainly not when I have to go down four floors," he said. For now, he descends to the third floor every time an alert is sounded. Ashkelon municipal representatives said 640 private shelters exist in the city's shared residential buildings, of which 350 in poorer neighborhoods have been renovated in recent months with contributions from the non-profit International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. Related articles: Pro-Palestinian activists say Israel Navy fired on protest boat off Gaza shore David Grossman / Is Israel too imprisoned in the familiar ceremony of war? France, Britain look to impose cease-fire in bid to halt Gaza operation UN official says Israel responsible for breaking truce with Gaza Uncertainty and bombing keep Gazans awake and fearful of who will be next Amos Oz: Hamas responsible for outbreak of Gaza violence Gaza hospitals 'overwhelmed' by wounded from IDF strikes Chicago synagogue firebombed; police probe possible link to Gaza violence ANALYSIS / Israel's operation in Gaza is entering its problematic phase IN PICTURES / Firestorm over Gaza WATCH: Israel's attack on Gaza from the missiles' viewpoint Bookmark to del.icio.us   A "gesture of dignity" Israeli envoy to Venezuela departs after being expelled by Chavez over Gaza op A voodoo initiative Voodoo priests in Benin pray for Israeli-Palestinian peace.   1.   From a WWII bomb survivor 09:45  |  hala 30/12/08   2.   Wow! A bomb shelter! 19:30  |  Palestinian Brit 30/12/08   3.   Its still better than Gaza 20:02  |  humanist 30/12/08   4.   PalBrit when you fire on others expect to be fired on 21:36  |  x-ray 30/12/08   5.   How terrible 15:52  |  BG 31/12/08   6.   rest 16:48  |  sdfg 11/01/09

Read & React 'Hamas: Gilad Shalit's fate is no longer our concern' Responses: 33 IDF investigation shows errant mortar hit UN building in Gaza Responses: 13 Gideon Levy: My Gaza war hero is Al-Jazeera correspondent Ayman Mohyeldin Responses: 28 Medics: Israeli troops edge into Gaza City, killing 14 Palestinians Responses: 12 Editorial: Hamas acts cannot justify Israel's cruel war against Palestinian civilians Responses: 20 More Headlines 16:28 MI Chief: Hamas hurt in Gaza, but it will fight on 17:10 Gaza rocket hits Ashdod playground, amid barrage on Negev 16:49 Livni: Gaza battle isn`t one-time conflict, won't end in accord 17:11 Medics: IDF soldiers edge into Gaza City, killing 14 Palestinians 17:09 Sources: Hamas fired anti-aircraft missiles at IAF planes 10:30 ANALYSIS / Synching IDF and government over Gaza 14:23 Gush Katif evacuees implore gov't to let them resettle Gaza 18:20 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email 13:37 Red Cross will no longer escort Palestinian ambulances in Gaza 14:43 International protesters plan to break Gaza naval blockade 14:58 Report: Hamas official says Shalit's fate is no longer group's concern 10:27 Israel disappointed by UN resolution that avoids key demands on Gaza 13:13 Report: U.S. spurned Israel plan for attack on Iran nuke reactor 08:56 ANALYSIS / UN Gaza truce resolution was serious diplomatic malfunction 08:51 IDF investigation shows errant mortar hit UN building in Gaza 17:08 This Hyphenated Life / 30 years after revolution, Cambodia is blossoming with tikkun olam Previous Editions Select Day 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 05 jan 04 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 29 dec 28 dec

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