In Ashkelon, an Israeli city on the border of Gaza, they are used to living under rockets from Hamas but they are worried about where this conflict is going and an aerial attack from an even bigger foe.

Along the seafront, on the promenade, a few walkers and runners are out trying to enjoy the warming weather. Others are attempting to celebrate.

At a Bar Mitzvah on the terrace of a local restaurant, there are drinks and jokes but the talk is of war and security.

Middle East latest: Cameron ‘deeply concerned’ by Iran’s vow to retaliate against Israel

Korin Peretz tells me her fears about the future: “I hope there is nothing happening from Iran. It’s very terrifying.

“Today we celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of my son. I couldn’t sleep at night, always worrying about this situation and I hope it’s all over. It’s not comfortable. It doesn’t feel very good. Our life here in Israel is not safe right now but there is no other place.”

For years Israel and Iran have been enemies, but the shadow war that’s been fought between them is now threatening to burst into the open.

There’s no doubt Israel lives in a rough and dangerous neighborhood and since its creation in 1948, it’s had to deal with a number of existential threats. But the trauma of 7 October has left this nation feeling especially vulnerable

Iran is vowing retaliation after two generals were killed in an airstrike on the consulate in Damascus, Syria.

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The US is warning an Iranian missile attack on Israeli soil could be imminent – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the country is prepared for every eventuality.

“We are in challenging times,” he said. “We are in the middle of the war in Gaza which continues in full force, at the same time we continue our non-stop efforts to return our hostages, but we are also preparing for scenarios of challenges from other arenas.

“We established a simple principle – whoever hurts us, we hurt him. We are preparing to meet the security needs of the state of Israel both in defence and in attack.”

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Israel’s number one ally America is hoping security guarantees will act as a deterrent, with President Joe Biden stating they are a warning to Tehran.

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“We also want to address the Iranian threat to launch a signal that they’re threatening to launch a significant attack on Israel,” he said.

“As I told Prime Minister Netanyahu, our commitment to Israel’s security against these threats from Iran and proxies is ironclad. We say it again, ironclad. We’re going to do all we can to protect Israel’s security.”

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Israelis know an Iranian attack will bring a response from the IDF – and with it the chance of a much wider regional war.

Victor Natanzon Baldi is out walking but his mind is on the events that are threatening the country.

“I’m always worried, until we have elements like Iran, the entire world needs to be worried,” he says.

“I’m not looking for big fights or big wars. I personally think that we need to look for peaceful solutions, but we need to choose the right people that we talk to.”

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So after six months of fighting, Israelis are weary but there are still many threats and people are wondering when this will ever end.

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