Lawyers, executives and simple laborers were among thousands of reservists who entered Gaza this week.
"We are all trained soldiers," one of them said. "I left behind three children including a one-month old baby, and I came with all the motivation necessary, knowing what the price may be, knowing that I have friends that will be with me, and we will all take care of each other."
The soldiers are happy to be there, believing they are part of a mission to defend the Jewish people from its enemies. "We came here with a lot of will. We are taking upon ourselves this mission with all the courage necessary, and we will do whatever we need to do and return home victorious, healthy and whole, amen," another soldier stated.
The reservists are a broad spectrum of Israel, from Ashkenazic to Sephardic and from observant to non-observant. Among the facilities is a temporary synagogue with almost 10 morning prayer sessions to accommodate all of the soldiers wanting to pray.