Shelter rankings and shower-timing apps: Israelis, Palestinians adjust to Iranian rockets

by AFP Staff Writers
Jerusalem (AFP) Mar 8, 2026
What is Israel's best bomb shelter? And when is the best time of day to shower without interruption from a missile alert?

The Middle East war that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran has provoked waves of retaliatory Iranian fire as well as some tricky questions for Jews and Arabs from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

A new app, which went viral in the country within hours of launching, uses statistical analysis of recent air raid alerts in specific areas to guide users on the optimal time of day to bathe, while limiting the chances of having to run for cover mid-wash.

"Can't even take a shower. I'm naked in the dining room. Is that normal?" quipped an Israeli on a Telegram account with 60,000 followers, as an alert warning of incoming Iranian missiles ordered residents to head for shelter.

Time Out, a publication known for directing people towards trendy restaurants and cocktail bars, is also trying to help the public navigate the war.

It has published a list of desirable Tel Aviv beach spots based on their proximity to a shelter.

"We searched and found beaches that are near compliant protected areas (shelters) you can reach in just a few minutes' walk if necessary. Don't panic!"

Journalist Ofek Tzach has offered a ranking of Tel Aviv's public shelters.

Among the low performers are one that he derides as packed with tourists, another "with barking dogs," and a third he says is "quiet but with no one to talk to."

- Married in bomb shelter -

There have also been endearing moments that have captured the public's attention.

The wedding venue booked by Lior and Michael was no longer available, due to security restrictions, so the couple got married in a shelter -- four levels below ground in a shopping centre parking lot.

"It was a wonderful moment," even if seventy percent of the people there were strangers, Michael told Israel's Channel 13.

There has also been a surge of online advice on how to make time in shelters more bearable.

Books, music and cushions are popular recommendations, standing in contrast to the more austere guidance from Israeli authorities, which includes having a radio, batteries, a phone charger and ID papers.

For Palestinians living in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, responses to the relentless air raid sirens have tilted towards dark humour.

There are few public shelters in the eastern part of the city and private shelters are almost non-existent.

"At the moment, Palestinians are taking a plate of qatayef and going up to the roof" to watch the missiles, said a Facebook post by pastry chef Mohammad Alayan, referring to the dessert traditionally eaten during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Palestinians in east Jerusalem regularly film rockets streaking through the sky from their rooftops.

Palestinians also took playful aim at a Facebook post by Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion detailing the proper conduct when an air raid siren sounds.

One comment on the post, apparently from a resident of the east Jerusalem refugee camp Shuafat, asked: "What is someone in Shuafat refugee camp supposed to do? Jump out the window?"

Son of late shah says Australia must protect Iranian women's football team
Sydney (AFP) Mar 9, 2026 - The son of Iran's late shah urged Canberra on Monday to protect the Iranian women's football team, who were branded "wartime traitors" after refusing to sing the national anthem while playing in Australia.

Australia is facing mounting pressure to offer asylum to the side, who are due to return to Iran after bowing out of the Asian Cup.

Reza Pahlavi, who has positioned himself as an alternative if the Islamic republic falls, said the team faced "dire consequences".

"The members of the Iranian Women's National Football Team are under significant pressure and ongoing threat from the Islamic Republic," Pahlavi said on X.

"I call on the Australian government to ensure their safety and give them any and all needed support."

Iranian players refused to sing as their anthem was played ahead of a game against South Korea last week.

The move was widely seen as an act of defiance and a presenter on Iranian state television branded the side "wartime traitors" representing the "pinnacle of dishonour".

Crowds surrounded the Iranian team bus after their final game on Sunday, chanting "let them go" and waving anti-government flags, local media said.

Iran's embassy in Australia did not respond to a request for comment.

US orders embassy staff to leave Saudi Arabia due to Iran war
Washington, United States (AFP) Mar 9, 2026 - The United States said Sunday that it was ordering embassy staff to leave Saudi Arabia as Iran strikes the kingdom in retaliation for the attacks by Washington and Israel.

The State Department said in a travel advisory it had "ordered non-emergency US government employees and US government employee family members to leave Saudi Arabia due to safety risks."

The order indicated ongoing fears about strikes by Iran, as President Donald Trump warns he is ready for weeks more of war and Tehran says it is ready to respond.

The United States previously had given permission for non-essential staff to leave but did not require them to do so.

The State Department said it continued to warn Americans to "reconsider travel" to Saudi Arabia, though without cautioning against all trips to the kingdom, which has assiduously courted US businesses and politicians.

Drones hit the US embassy in the Saudi capital Riyadh last week, and drones have also caused damage at the US embassies in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia said two people were killed and 12 wounded when a projectile landed in Al Kharj province.

Iran has vowed to extract a price after the United States and Israel launched a massive attack on February 28 that killed the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Gulf Arab kingdoms are closely allied with the United States, with Bahrain and Qatar both providing key bases for US forces.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday apologized to neighboring countries for attacks but later said Iran would be "forced to respond" if the states are used to attack Iran.