Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026

Author Spotlight: Deciphering the Long-Term Effects of Low-Level Blast Exposures in Mice
Published on: May 24, 2024
Injuries while seeking shelter during air-raid sirens: A retrospective comparative study from two armed conflicts in
Evan Avraham Alpert1, Maximilian P Nerlander2, Sharon Alter3
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel; Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel.
Air-raid sirens during conflict cause civilian injuries and anxiety, particularly in women and the elderly. Public messaging on safe sheltering is recommended to mitigate these siren-induced harms.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Missile attacks on Israel from Gaza have caused civilian casualties for two decades.
- Air-raid sirens, triggered by the Iron Dome system, can lead to injuries and distress as civilians seek shelter.
- This study examines emergency medical responses during sirens, excluding direct missile impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the epidemiology of emergency medical responses during air-raid sirens between the 2021 Gaza War and the 2023 Israel-Hamas War.
- To analyze injury patterns and demographic differences in responses during these two conflict periods.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective comparative study of Magen David Adom (MDA) responses.
- Data collected during air-raid sirens from May 10-21, 2021 (Gaza War) and October 7-November 3, 2023 (Israel-Hamas War).
- Analysis included injury types, patient demographics, and response rates per siren.
Main Results:
- A total of 1155 emergency medical system (EMS) responses were analyzed.
- Women experienced more physical injuries and anxiety-related responses than men in both conflicts.
- The 2023 Israel-Hamas War saw higher odds of responses for elderly patients (age >75) and increased orthopedic, light, and head injuries compared to the 2021 Gaza War.
- The mean ratio of EMS responses per air-raid siren was significantly higher in the 2023 conflict (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Air-raid sirens, while crucial for missile defense, contribute to civilian anxiety and injuries during sheltering.
- Women and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to siren-induced harms.
- Public health messaging emphasizing calm and safe sheltering practices is essential to reduce these preventable injuries.
More Related Videos
04:02Author Spotlight: Developing Precise and Clinically Relevant Models for Studying Secondary Degeneration in Traumatic Optic Neuropathy
Published on: November 29, 2024
11:28A Coupled Experiment-finite Element Modeling Methodology for Assessing High Strain Rate Mechanical Response of Soft Biomaterials
Published on: May 18, 2015
Related Concept Videos
The Availability Heuristic
Elastic Collisions: Case Study
Bystander Effect
Observational Studies
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One...
Comparing the Survival Analysis of Two or More Groups