On Saturday night, perhaps the most dramatic since Israel’s founding, the fear was palpable. Could this be the end?

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TEL AVIV — At around 9 p.m. on Saturday night, after days of escalating tensions, Israel’s Home Front Command issued directives to the population to seek a safe place to shelter with adequate provisions. Iran was expected to attack imminently.

We now know that by that time, the Islamic Republic of Iran had already launched, or was on the verge of launching, more than 300 suicide drones and missiles targeting Israel.

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I was at the weekly rally in central Tel Aviv in support of the Israeli hostages who have been held in Hamas captivity since Oct. 7. The thousands in attendance all received the same message simultaneously and began looking around. The uncertainty was palpable. What does one do?

Not that we all believed the strike would happen in the next moment, yet everyone felt compelled to leave. But when you’re at a rally to support people who have been locked in underground cages and abused by Hamas for six months, well, it’s natural to have a flash of guilt. “How can I leave in the midst of a forceful plea being made by the daughter of Ron Benjamin?” I thought.

The 53-year-old went to meet his buddies on Oct. 7 for an early morning cycle through some of the most beautiful terrain in Israel. After his bike was unloaded, the missile attack from the Gaza Strip began. As hell broke loose. His friends managed to escape. Benjamin was taken hostage.

On Saturday night, Benjamin’s 20-something daughter, Shay, was on stage. Addressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, she challenged them to, “Come, tell me face-to-face. Look me in the eye and tell me that my father is going to be another Ron Arad.”

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