Hi,
The residential protected area (the MMD as we call it, which is an acronym) is Israel response to the threat of bombing of mortar shells, rockets and missiles from all over our enemies (Iran, Houthis, Gaza strip, Syria, Lebanon, and so on).
Till the MMD (or MMK, for a floor; or MMM for a whole facility) Israel used to build underground shelters to protect its population from bombings.
After the Gulf war, when Iraqi Scud missiles were launched at Israel, the concept of defense moved to protected areas, such as the MMD. First because shelters does not fit high rise building that became popular in Israel (you can run 8 floors down in a minute and a half). And second for the fear of ABC weapon, that sinks down to the underground shelters.
Now we also use the Tel-Aviv rail stations as underground shelters. But this is not new, and I even wrote you to you about it before.
But since the first protected areas were built (about 30 years ago) Israel had not been bombed with ballistic missiles similar to the Scud missile, that the MMD was designed for.
But one must understand that in order to stand a direct hit of a Scud or Iranian missile, those room should have been much thicker and massive and not rational to be built as part of a standard residential building. Those MMD are built to stand an hit of that kind of a missile probably couple dozens meters away.
Several people had died inside the MMDs this week from a direct hit of an Iranian missile. As people do not understand what I wrote above, they now think the MMDs are not safe and prefer to sit in the staricase, or run to the near shelter what can take them several minutes.
If you have a protected area in your apartment or house, this is the most safe place you can stay in when an alarm sounds. It is much better than an inner stairs room or inner room. the room is built especially to protect you and you need to be in it.
Take Care
Gad
The room which got hit directly by an Iranian ballistic missile. The residents were killed. You can see room wall completely demolished and the deflection in the slab.
The room just above the room which got hit directly, not even a crack in the walls and slab.
Just look on the damage in the building and how safe, clean and undamaged is the protected area inside the building