Haifa struggles for public space: The street-dwelling phenomenon is getting out of control

(Live Here) - The Tragedy of the Street Dwellers: Beggars at Intersections,...

Tzipi Rom, Haifa gossip pioneer, passes away at age 87

(Live here) – the late Tzipi Rom, one of the most recognizable figures...

The scientist from Hillel Street in Haifa

Professor Franz (Chaim) Ohlendorf, a world-renowned physicist and scientist,...

Arson of vehicles in the parking lot of a new residence – tonight in Tirat Carmel

(Live) - The crime rampant on the streets: setting vehicles on fire...

About thorns, folklore and songs

In our sources, there are many different names for thorns, only a few of which are identified...

The scientist from Hillel Street in Haifa

Professor Franz (Chaim) Ohlendorf, a world-renowned physicist and scientist,...

Beware, Narcissist! • Chapter 7 • The Toxic Politician

The rise and fall of Eitan Almog in the vibrant city's election campaign...

Rina • Short story

I met Rina when she was sixteen and working as an apprentice in a sewing shop...

Scene of destruction in Haifa Our city "with a dog" • Picture of the day 16/06/25 – Israel-Iran war

I stood quietly, the heavy camera in my hand, in front of the scene where the Iranian missile that hit my heart fell – Haifa. Every corner here carries memories, and every memory is now broken under the fragments of the shock. The air is heavy with dust and smoke, the scents of fire and war mingle with the sea breeze, creating a feeling of intense helplessness that makes it difficult to breathe.

Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)

The smell of burning and dust mixed with the light breeze

The heavy smoke spreads in the air, the smell of fire and dust mixes with the light breeze, and at the heart of it all – the destruction. Torn walls, blown windows, scattered furniture as if time had stopped. Every corner tells a story of fear, pain and hope merging in the heavy air. The streets I have walked hundreds of times, now bear a heavy layer of destruction. Walls that collapsed like a broken dream, shards of glass glittering among the broken stones, windows that have been torn apart again. The face of the city changes before my eyes, a quiet and familiar city becomes a silent battlefield, full of pain and a sense of loss.

Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
The scene of the destruction in Haifa, June 16.6.2025, XNUMX (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
The scene of the destruction in Haifa, June 16.6.2025, XNUMX (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)

Standing among the ruins

The people who were here – neighbors, friends, families – now stand among the ruins, with staring eyes full of unanswered questions. Silent tears are shed, words of comfort spoken in whispers, and a brave attempt to restore peace to the city that was so damaged. Deep shock sinks into hearts, but at the same time – they also have resilience, a desire to restore routine and search for hope among the fragments of gray.

Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)

Rescuers arrived quickly.

The rescue forces arrived quickly, carrying an almost superhuman task on their shoulders. Firefighters, police teams, and army teams are passing by and doing sacred work, dealing with the pain and fear, covering the city's wounds, and trying to restore what is possible. When the Commissioner himself suddenly appeared among the crowd, his powerful words were like a ray of light – reinforcement and strength aimed at instilling confidence and strengthening the spirits of all present.

Police Commissioner-General Danny Levy at the scene of the incident in Haifa (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Police Commissioner-General Danny Levy at the scene of the incident in Haifa (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Police Commissioner-General Danny Levy at the scene of the incident in Haifa (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Police Commissioner-General Danny Levy at the scene of the incident in Haifa (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)

The destroyed houses bore the brutal blow of the missile.

The ruined houses, which absorbed the cruel blow of the missile, stand there now, like statues of pain and determination, creaking quietly under the weight of loss. Every window that was broken and every wall that collapsed reflects a story of lives cut short, but also of people who refuse to give up. In all these difficult sights, in the heart of the pain, a sense of courageous hope grows in me. Hope for a city that is getting stronger, for residents who are united, for a future in which we will return to live in peace. And in deep prayer, we will remember, search for, and work to bring everyone who was kidnapped home soon, because there is nothing more important than the lives and safe return of our loved ones.

Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Police Commissioner-General Danny Levy at the scene of the incident in Haifa (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Police Commissioner-General Danny Levy at the scene of the incident in Haifa (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)

My Haifa, standing strong

My Haifa, with all the fragments, stands strong. And I believe – together we will rebuild the wheel, with love, with determination, with a big heart that never gives up. Every photograph I took was an attempt to capture the truth, the untold story of my city – not only the destruction, but also the deep courage, the unbroken soul, the desire to continue living, loving and rebuilding.

Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)
Destruction in Haifa 16.6.2025 (Photo: Dror Shmilovitz)

contact: At watsapBy email

Articles related to this topic

5 תגובות

  1. It's great that you went out to take pictures with the ruins. Maybe you'll change into a swimsuit, show off your tan and muscles against a backdrop of a burned-out car or two, and add the hashtag "Israel is strong." A new tourism industry is coming soon: "Urban tour following Iranian missiles."
    I read that Haifa lacks 200 municipal shelters and the municipality is helpless and is opening parking lots in all kinds of office buildings as municipal shelters.

Leave a comment

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

All the articles are alive

Singer vs. Remez: The Battle for the Soul of the City of Haifa

Who is Haifa? Being Haifa is much more than an address. It is an identity woven from stories. It begins with the story of my parents, who immigrated from Romania in '48 straight to the Hof Shemen crossing and the street...

Cyclist collides with parked car in Haifa • Seriously injured

MDA reported: At 17:39 PM, a report was received at MDA's 101 hotline in the Carmel area about a cyclist who collided with a parked vehicle on Montefiore Street in Haifa. Paramedics and medics from...

Tragedy at sea and in the pool • 12 drowning cases in Haifa and the Krayot since the beginning of the season

(Live Here) – The bathing season is in full swing, but so are its dangers: From the beginning of April this year until today (July 13, 2025, as of the publication of this article)...

Off we go: On Saturday, the "European Game" Maccabi Haifa vs. Beitar Jerusalem

A new football season is already upon us, the 2025/26 season, which will begin this coming Saturday (19/7/2025) at 20:30 PM, when the Maccabi Haifa team will take to the field...

About thorns, folklore and songs

In our sources, there are many names for various thorns, only a few of which are identified with certainty today: "And Gideon said, Now therefore the LORD will deliver Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand: and I will tread down your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness, and with the briers" (Judges 8:...