Israeli media revealed on Sunday that half of the settlers in the “Sde Nehemia” settlement (6 km from the Lebanese border) have left the area due to Hezbollah strikes.
According to Israeli media, the settlers left the settlement expecting financial compensation from the government, yet the law stipulates they are not entitled to any.
Reports cited a female settler saying, "I felt compelled to leave the settlement due to the perceived danger. Our house lacks a fortified room, and it feels like we are playing Russian roulette with our lives," adding that "they have previously hit homes in Beit Hallel, and we experienced hardship near 'Kfar Szold'. Those who are returning now among the affected are unable to afford the expenses."
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Israeli media reports that committees from 12 settlements along the confrontation line near the Lebanese border filed a plea with the Supreme Court last Monday against the government, seeking clarification on how decisions were made regarding the evacuation of specific northern settlements and which ones would remain unaffected.
The leadership of the "Sde Nehemiah" settlement in the North did not join the petition submitted to the court.
Israeli occupation closes entrances to settlements
Israeli media reports a growing concern among settlers in the North about returning to their settlements, accusing the occupation government of abandoning them.
Earlier, Israeli channel Kan reported that Israeli settlers in northern occupied Palestineindicated that they are on high alert after settlement mayors told residents not to return to their houses in the coming days.
The northern Israeli settlement of "Kiryat Shmona" has long been aware of the threat of rocket launches from Lebanon; however, in recent months, the continuous threat to it has led to the evacuation of most of its settlers, a Yedioth Ahronoth report revealed on January 3.
Mayor Avihai Stern urged all settlers to evacuate, expressing concern about Hezbollah's potential response to Hamas top official Saleh al-Arouri's assassination.
"I believe that since October 7, we have been engaged in a battle: feeling and hearing it distinctly... Unfortunately, there is damage to both property and lives," Stern told Ynet.