Israelis prepare for war against Iran: "We've gotten used to it."

JerusalemIn Jerusalem, the narrow streets of the city center are bustling. Tourists stroll along the cobblestone streets of the Old City, haggling over prices for seeds and spices and photographing fruit stands. In the cafes that remain open despite Ramadan, some locals chat quietly. Everything seems normal, routine. But beneath this mundane reality, Israel is under maximum surveillance.

WhatsApp groups are flooded with messages reminding people what to do in case of a bombing, and many citizens have already downloaded government apps that send alerts and indicate the location of the nearest shelter. The country has raised its alert level in anticipation of a possible joint attack with the United States against Iran.

Senior Israeli officials quoted by Reuters assert that the nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington, which continue this Thursday in Geneva, are "unsalvageable." Several media outlets, citing internal sources in the United States and Israel, indicate that an attack is imminent and could be more intense than the twelve-day war last June, following Tel Aviv's attack on Tehran, which killed 29 people in Israel and at least 610 in Iran. Last week, US President Donald Trump gave Iran 10 to 15 days to reach an agreement and to reinforce its military presence in the region, and the ultimatum is drawing near.

This time Israel would not attack first, but would instead make itself available to the United States and intervene on its side if necessary. The country is at "maximum defensive readiness," said Brigadier General Effie Defrin.

In recent days, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also intensified his rhetoric against Iran and warned the public about the uncertainty of the coming days. In a brief speech in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, from which he departed to attend a meeting with security officials, he warned that if the Iranian regime commits "the biggest mistake in its history" and attacks Israel, they will respond "with a force they cannot even imagine." He also emphasized that his personal ties with Trump are closer than ever and that cooperation with the U.S. armed forces is exceptional.

Meanwhile, the Israeli healthcare system is preparing for an emergency in the event of a prolonged war. The Ministry of Health has proposed reducing the number of internal medicine departments, accelerating hospital discharges, and redeploying professionals to more vulnerable, outlying centers.

"Survival and justice"

After more than two years in which Israel has opened four fronts—Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, and the Houthis in Yemen—the threat of war seems to have become normalized. "If something happens, it won't last more than ten days. It will be quick. And, frankly, I don't care, because living in Israel is like living in paradise," says a man in his sixties who prefers not to reveal his name, sitting in Safra Square, one of the city's most central squares. "That's paradise," he insists.

Karina, 22, strolls through the Ciutat Vella with the same mixture of resignation and pragmatism. "The media says every day that it will be today, tonight… We've gotten used to it. If it has to happen, it will. Although I don't like wars, right now I'm worried about finding my sunglasses," she says, laughing. Her mother, Susane, adds: "We're fine, even though we don't have a private shelter. If there's a war, we'll go to the public shelters; they're just part of our normal lives now."

In West Jerusalem, where the majority of the population is Jewish, the tone is more forceful and the stance against Iran more palpable. "Iran has been toying with us for years. Now is the time to make it clear that Israel will not back down and is not afraid. It's almost a moral responsibility to the region and the world," says Ior, a 27-year-old former soldier.

This sentiment is not marginal. Recent polls indicate that a majority of Israelis would support joining a joint attack with the United States. According to a survey by Channel 12, one of Israel's main television channels, 59% agree. This support is not only based on political rhetoric, but also appears to stem from renewed confidence in the country's defensive capabilities following the recent war with Iran.

"If we have to suffer for our Iranian brothers and sisters, it will be worth it. If it means they will one day be free, it will all have been worth it," says Tamar, a 30-year-old doctor, as she walks home after a day at the hospital. "We can't wait for someone else to solve this. If we have to attack to protect ourselves, we will. Those who criticize the war don't understand what it means to live under constant threat. It's about survival and justice."