Israel’s north in crisis mode as Hezbollah turns up the heat
Tens of thousands of settlers have evacuated Israel's northern settlements, saying they do not plan on returning unless their safety is 'guaranteed'
Israeli media outlets reported on 20 November that Hezbollah's non-stop attacks on Israel’s northern border have created a crisis for the settlement communities in the area.
“Nasrallah is only increasing the pace of launching missiles, drones, and anti-tank missiles, and he does not seem to be affected by the statements of the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet,” Moshe Davidovich, head of the Frontline Settlement Forum, said in an interview with Maariv newspaper.
"For three weeks, businesses have been closed, and the settlers have no […] source of livelihood."
He added that he spoke to settlers who “will not return to their homes on the northern border until their lives are safe.”
“If Hezbollah remains in the north, the settlers will not return to this area, even if Israeli military forces remain in the settlements.”
Tens of thousands of Israeli settlers have been evacuated from their settlements since Hezbollah began its operations at the start of the Gaza-Israel war last month.
According to other Israeli reports, sirens in the north are being activated 24 hours a day as Hezbollah continues to strike the settlements and military sites.
The attacks have been conducted daily since 8 October, only increasing in frequency and intensity.
Hezbollah attacked several Israeli military sites on Monday morning, including the Command Center of the Israeli army’s 91st division, causing massive destruction.
The Israeli army announced targeting areas in southern Lebanon on 20 November.
According to a correspondent for Israel’s Walla news site, the army is working “in order not to ignite a fire in the northern sector while our forces are in Gaza.”
Recent claims by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Hezbollah has been deterred have been met with heavy criticism.
“These are empty words like those we've heard before," said Israeli Colonel Erez Bergman, who last month was evacuated from the upper Galilee with his family.
Israeli forces are also facing unprecedented levels of resistance as they continue to deepen their ground assault in the Gaza Strip. However, resistance fighters continue to emerge from tunnels and ambush Israeli military vehicles and groups of soldiers.
Israel has admitted to the deaths of 66 soldiers since expanding Gaza ground operations last month. The army also faces daily resistance in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli troops are frequently subjected to IED attacks.