An American woman who lives one kilometer from Gaza says she has ‘never been so scared in my life’ after Hamas militants attacked Israel, stormed her daughter’s home and killed three members of her community.
Adele Raemer, a 68-year-old retired teacher who moved to Israel from the Bronx in 1975, recorded her experience while he was in her safe room as terrorists raided her building.
‘I have to say it’s very scary. I’ve never been so scared in my life,” Raemer said in a video update from her safe room.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to defeat Hamas after their sudden incursion left at least 482 people dead and another 3,200 injured – in less than one day. Dozens more are alleged to have been kidnapped and driven across the border into the Gaza Strip.
Adele Raemer (68) documented Hamas’ attack on Israel from her home just one kilometer from the Gaza Strip
Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday morning, which ended up killing hundreds and injuring thousands
Raemer, who lives on a kibbutz one kilometer from Gaza where he entertains his children in the hospital as a clown, first documented the attack in a post early Saturday morning: ‘Suddenly out of nowhere, massive barrage, non-stop,’ she said.
‘Hear massive machine gun fire. No idea if IDF is here yet. Everyone in lockdown,’ she said.
Raemer said Hamas militants were going through the kibbutz and trying to break in.
‘I hear a lot of shooting, even through the thick walls of the vault. I have to go to the bathroom, but I don’t dare. I have literally never been so scared,” she wrote.
Just the night before the attack, Raemer posted a video celebrating the 77th anniversary of her community. Hours later they were at war.
Raemer’s son-in-law was forced to shoot militants who stormed the house where her grandchildren live and three members of her kibbutz and nine terrorists were killed, according to The New York Post.
‘It’s just totally unprecedented. We’ve never had anything like this,” Raemer said in a video update.
‘The sheer number of rockets fired at the same time overwhelms the Iron Dome.
‘So I don’t know where we go from here, but this is war. There is no getting around it. I don’t know if you can hear the explosions in the background.’
Raemer, a 68-year-old retired teacher who moved to Israel from the Bronx in 1975, was eventually rescued by soldiers
She said she had ‘never been more scared in my life’ after a terrorist tried to break into her home
Dozens of people are said to have been kidnapped from the streets of Israel and driven across the border into the Gaza Strip.
“Terrorists have invaded Israel and this is in addition to the massive rocket attacks. If you’re the praying type, pray for us.’
Raemer said she was thirsty and needed to use the toilet, but was afraid to drink too much or leave her safe room.
She shared a photo of her covered windows and wrote: ‘Terrorists still tried to break into my house in lockdown. So far they have not succeeded.’
In the afternoon she was notified that help was on the way and hoped to have time to grab some of her things to take with her.
She later posted a photo with soldiers who rescued her and revealed how she had to flee in just the clothes on her back.
“We were taken to a secure central location, guarded by our members with guns, and are awaiting further instructions,” she said.
‘I left with the dress I was wearing, grabbed my wallet, my sleeping pills and put on shoes.
‘It’s totally unprecedented, we’ve always been able to pack at least one bag. I didn’t brush my teeth, or clean my face.’
Raemer said her son-in-law was forced to shoot militants who stormed the house where her grandchildren live
Three members of Raemer kibbutz and nine terrorists were killed in the attacks
Raemer shared a video of her being taken to safety, showing the damage around her community.
‘What is happening here, and in other communities along the border, is the case of a terrorist army invading a sovereign state. I will not apologize for any military action our IDF takes to bring security back to our lives,” she said.
Raemer is now still in the kibbutz but under army protection and described the conditions.
‘So I spend the night with the most frightened humanity of my community. We are in a large communal safe space, with toilets and garbage overflowing, surrounded by the smells of unwashed people,’ she said.
The attack left hundreds dead and thousands injured. Dozens more are alleged to have been kidnapped and driven across the border into the Gaza Strip.