Israelis stockpile food, go underground, prepare for a long war

According to AFP news agency, people in Jerusalem had time to seek shelter before an unprecedented attack with hundreds of drones and missiles aimed at Israel.

CNN reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) estimated that Iran had launched more than 200 types of drones, including killer drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.

Accordingly, the siren sounded at about 1:42 a.m. on April 14 (local time) in southern Israel, then spread across the country. Many loud explosions were heard throughout southern and northern Israel, in the city of Jerusalem as well as in many towns in the West Bank.

In Jerusalem, AFP reporters reported hearing explosions across the city, with the skyline glowing red from the interceptions. Meanwhile, residents were stocking up on water and taking shelter in underground shelters.

"People are rushing home," said Eliyahu Barakat, 49, a grocery store owner in Jerusalem's Mamilla neighborhood.

Mr Barakat's shop would not normally be open at this hour, but is open now because many people come to buy "water, food and everything", Mr Barakat said.

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari also warned residents to be ready to seek shelter.

"I repeat that no matter where the threat comes from, when you hear the siren, you must go into the shelter and wait there for at least 10 minutes," Mr. Hagari reminded.

According to Mr. Michael Uzan (52 years old, dentist), his family gathered at his father-in-law's house.

Mr. Uzan's family followed the instructions of the Israeli government, they bought non-perishable food and were ready to go to the shelter under the building.

Mr. Uzan predicts that the family's daily life will be disrupted for many days to come.

Meanwhile, people in the capital Amman, Jordan (about 100km from Jerusalem) said that early in the morning of April 14, they heard and saw many activities happening in the sky in many different areas.

"At first we heard explosions in the distance. We looked outside and it was like flashes in the sky, flashing. We saw something flying and then falling," a man in western Amman, who asked not to be named, told CNN.

Another said it seemed like whatever "exploded in the sky" would fall right in their area.

"The light was very bright. It seemed to come from the Iron Dome defense system, intercepting and exploding. The sounds were terrifying. You could hear the explosion echoing, like a shooting star coming down," the person said.