Day 23 of Middle East conflict — Iran responds to Trump threat to bomb power plants, strikes on Israel

Habima Square is right in the heart of Tel Aviv.

Hours after a suspected bomblet from an Iranian cluster missile struck a nearby street, and a day after two missiles evaded interceptors in the desert towns of Dimona and Arad, CNN found Einat, 62, and Aviad, 67, sitting in a pub, sharing a drink.

Did they still have faith in the country’s air defense system to keep them safe?

Einat admitted she did have concerns.

“It’s still better than nothing, but it’s definitely worrying,” she said.

Aviad was more sanguine.

“It doesn’t intercept cluster munitions, and it can’t intercept them,” he said, adding, “It’s Russian roulette, and living here in this country is Russian roulette.”

Both said they followed government instructions to go to hardened shelters when the sirens came.

Most of the people CNN spoke with did not want to reveal their surnames.

Jennifer Hassan Smith, 52, who was also out enjoying a drink with a companion, said Iran’s increased use of cluster munitions actually made her feel safer, because their explosive power was much lower than missiles carrying a single warhead.

“If it falls and we are in a safe room, we are totally safe,” she said.

Israel’s military says interception rates remain over 90 percent. For Orna, who didn’t want to give her age, and told CNN she preferred to spend her nights at the underground parking lot at Habima, rather than sleep at home, that level of success is good enough.

“Nothing in this world is perfect, including the air defense system. It is expected there will be occasional casualties or imperfections. The military draws conclusions and learns lessons, and I hope there will be fewer casualties in the future,” she said.