In Israel, Tel Aviv is known as one of the most dog-friendly cities in the world. With an estimated one dog for every 11 residents, this has earned Tel Aviv a reputation for having one of the highest rates of dog ownership globally, especially relative to population size.

The Story of "Hachiko" – The Israeli Version

  - One of the most touching stories in Israel is often compared to the story of Japan’s famous dog, Hachiko. In this case, a loyal Israeli dog would wait daily for his owner, a Holocaust survivor, to return to the bus station after work. Tragically, one day, the owner passed away, but the dog continued to wait for him at the station for years. Locals began caring for the dog, feeding and keeping him company. The dog's unwavering loyalty struck a deep chord with the community, making the story widely known in Israel.

  - The Oketz Unit, Israel’s elite canine special forces, is another famous source of dog stories. The dogs in this unit are trained for military missions, including tracking, detecting explosives, and search and rescue operations. Many of these dogs are considered national heroes for their bravery in saving lives during dangerous missions. For example, there are stories of dogs in the Oketz Unit who detected bombs during the Second Lebanon War and in various operations in Gaza, preventing potential casualties. When one of these dogs dies in action, they are often honoured as fallen soldiers.

The Story of Lu-Lu the Dog and Gilad Shalit

   - When Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was held captive by Hamas (from 2006 to 2011), his family’s dog, Lu-Lu, became a symbol of loyalty and hope. The black Labrador remained by the Shalit family’s side, comforting them during their long ordeal. Upon Gilad Shalit's release, Gilad and Lu-Lu reunited, bolstering the family's emotional resilience and the power of a dog’s companionship.

The Hero Dog of the Carmel Fire

   - During the 2010 Carmel Forest Fire, one of the worst natural disasters in Israeli history, a heroic dog named Shira became known for her bravery. Shira, a mixed-breed dog, guided her owner and several others through thick smoke and out of danger as the fire approached their area. Her keen instincts and loyalty saved lives, and she was later honoured for her actions during the crisis.

Dogs Rescued During Operation Protective Edge

   - During the 2014 Gaza War, also known as Operation Protective Edge, there were several stories of soldiers being saved by military dogs from the Oketz Unit. In one instance, a dog named Levi detected a tunnel that Hamas fighters were using to stage an ambush on Israeli forces. Levi's discovery helped avert a potentially deadly surprise attack, making him a hero in the eyes of the soldiers.

The Story of "Nili"

   - In the early days of Israeli independence, a dog named Nili became famous for her work with the Haganah. This Jewish paramilitary organisation later became part of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Nili was trained to deliver messages across dangerous terrain and often accompanied Jewish fighters during the tumultuous period before and after the founding of Israel. Her story is part of the broader history of how animals played roles in Israel's fight for survival.

The Trojan Horse concept—something harmful disguised as beneficial or harmless—has appeared throughout history, literature, and even modern cybersecurity. Here are some notable Trojan Horse scenarios and stories, ranging from ancient tales to contemporary strategies:

 The Original Trojan Horse (Ancient Greek Mythology)

   - Story: The term "Trojan Horse" originates from the Greek myth of the Trojan War, famously recounted in Homer’s "The Iliad" and later in Virgil's "The Aeneid". The Greeks, unable to breach the walls of Troy after a decade of war, devised a plan to deceive the Trojans. They built a giant wooden horse, hiding soldiers inside, and pretended to sail away. Believing the horse to be a peace offering, the Trojans brought it into the city. Greek soldiers emerged from the horse at night and opened the gates for the returning Greek army, but the city was sacked.

   - Outcome: This story remains one of the most famous examples of deception in history and gave rise to the term "Trojan Horse" for any trick that causes an opponent to invite a foe into a secure place.

 The Wooden Horse Escape (World War II)

   - Scenario: A real-life parallel to the mythical Trojan Horse occurred during World War II when British POWs at Stalag Luft III, a German POW camp, built a vaulting horse as part of an escape plan.

   - Trojan Horse Strategy: Under the guise of using the horse for exercise, the prisoners dug a tunnel beneath it, hiding their digging equipment and dirt inside. Every day, they would move the horse to the dig site, and while some men exercised above, others dug beneath. The horse was then moved back into the camp at the end of the day.

   - Outcome: Three prisoners successfully escaped using this method. This daring escape became famous and was the subject of the book and film "The Wooden Horse".

 The Battle of Carthage (146 BC)

   - Scenario: During the Third Punic War, the Roman Republic laid siege to Carthage. After breaching the city walls, the Romans faced fierce resistance from the Carthaginians, who had built barricades in the streets. To break the final resistance, the Romans used deception.

   - Trojan Horse Strategy: Roman soldiers pretended to retreat, luring the Carthaginians out of their fortified positions. When the defenders pursued, the Romans launched a surprise counterattack, capturing critical parts of the city.

   - Outcome: The city of Carthage was ultimately destroyed, marking the end of the Punic Wars. This feigned retreat tactic is a classic military Trojan Horse strategy.

The Siege of Alesia (52 BC)

   - Scenario: During Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul, the Gallic leader Vercingetorix retreated to the fortified city of Alesia, where Caesar laid siege.

   - Trojan Horse Strategy: While Caesar built fortifications around the city, he also set traps and built fake retreats to lure Gallic reinforcements into ambushes. He employed deception to divide and weaken the Gallic forces while maintaining a double-layer siege.

   - Outcome: The siege was successful, and Caesar’s tactics, including deceptive strategies, led to the final defeat of the Gallic forces, cementing Roman control over Gaul.