Residents of Jerusalem froze in deadly anticipation early Wednesday afternoon when air raid sirens suddenly blared across the Israeli capital.
Most were sure that Hamas terrorists in Gaza had unleashed longer-range missiles than those currently being fired at Beersheva and other Negev towns, while some feared rocket attacks from Judea and Samaria had finally begun, as long predicted by analysts.
Home Front Command officials clarified shortly after that the siren system in Jerusalem had malfunctioned.
Nevertheless, many believers in Jerusalem saw the siren blast as a sign of things to come as Israel's enemies ramp up their efforts to reverse her restoration and the nation's leadership succumbs to international pressure to let its guard down.