Rocket reactions

Tensions frayed and emotions ran high in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv overnight as rocket fire from Hamas became an all-too-real possibility.

Code-Red sirens were heard around the Mediterranean city just after 7 p.m. local time, sending local residents scrambling for their private bomb shelters. There was shock in the streets when a second rocket was shot down.

Following the interceptions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his fight was with Hamas, not innocent civilians.

"Israel is not eager for war, but the security of our citizens is our primary consideration. Israel targets Hamas terrorists and not innocent civilians.

By contrast, Hamas targets Israeli civilians while hiding behind Palestinian civilians. We are determined to give our citizens the safety and security they deserve."

Less than an hour later, Jerusalem's municipal government started preparing for rocket fire, by opening up public bomb shelters throughout the city. Mayor Nir Birkat said he wanted to prepare for every possible scenario.

Israel has launched a blistering air offensive in Gaza, saying a ground invasion could follow, if rocket attacks from the Strip do not stop.

Israelis watch soccer

But, many Israelis seemed unperturbed by the threat from Gaza. American, non-Jewish expat Prescott Watson was in the center of Jerusalem at a cafe when the sirens sounded just before 10 p.m. He told Deutsche Welle most people seemed more interested in the World Cup.

He said soon after the sirens began, he heard English, Arabic and Hebrew speakers cheering as Germany took on Brazil.

Watson said he wasn't particularly frightened by the rockets and it appeared not many others at the cafe were either: "I certainly blame Hamas for this escalation, and I'm frustrated that their dramatic provocations will inevitably result in retaliation that kills innocents in Gaza."

Just after those sirens were heard, thousands of concertgoers were evacuated from a Berry Sakharof show near the Old City.

Others living in Tel Aviv said they wished they were still on holiday because they hadn't been able to get much sleep.

Gazans take shelling in stride

Reaction in Gaza City to the continued airstrikes is relatively muted. People say they're getting used to it and it's the same issue, just a different day.

Twenty-seven-year-old Mohammed Marwan said Gaza is still under attack.

"Israeli still fires shells in Gaza with no mercy and they don't discriminate between kids, women and the elderly. More than 20 people have died and this number is increasing,' he said.

Further down the road, near the border city of Sderot, blogger Seth Frantzman watched the airstrikes, along with about 50 others who'd turned out with their lawn chairs.

"It's ironic how in Tel Aviv people run for cover, but in Sderot they come out to watch," he told DW.

However, the continued rocket fire into Israel is taking its toll on some residents living near the border.

'Nobody likes war'

Tal Rotem lives about 40 kilometers away in the city of Beersheba, close to the West Bank. He said the past few days have been tough on his four young children, but the local adults were used to it.

However, he remains hopeful that things will calm down. "Nobody likes war," he said.

"All we want is a peaceful life. Our problem is not with the Palestinian people. It's with Hamas, the terrorist organization - they want to destroy Israel."