After over a year of intense conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a tentative ceasefire took hold this week, allowing some hope for residents of northern Israel to return home. Yet, the mood in these border communities is far from celebratory. For many, the peace feels fragile, and trust in both the ceasefire and the government’s assurances is in short supply.
As I stand in Kibbutz Malkiya, a community perched on a hill overlooking Lebanon, the landscape tells a story of abandonment and caution. The kibbutz remains eerily quiet, its daycare closed, homes left unkempt, and parts of the area scorched from fires caused by Hezbollah rockets. Despite the ceasefire’s intention to let Israelis return to the north, many are still wary, and for good reason. The underlying fear of Hezbollah’s potential return and a profound mistrust in the government’s response to the threat are keeping people away.
A Fragile Ceasefire in Northern Israel
On October 8, 2023, Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel in solidarity with Hamas’s actions in Gaza. What followed was over a year of violent exchanges, with Israeli communities near the Lebanese border bearing the brunt of the attacks. The ceasefire, which went into effect earlier this week, is part of an international effort to de-escalate tensions and allow for the safe return of displaced Israeli families to their homes.
However, not everyone is ready to come back. In fact, many remain unconvinced that the truce will hold long enough for them to feel safe. The ceasefire’s terms stipulate that Hezbollah should retreat from southern Lebanon, and that peacekeeping forces from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), along with a bolstered Lebanese military presence, will prevent further hostilities. But many residents, including those in Kibbutz Malkiya, question whether these forces will be able to stop Hezbollah from reasserting control over the region.
Trusting the Ceasefire: A Difficult Proposition for Israelis
Dean Sweetland, a member of the civilian security squad in Kibbutz Malkiya, summed up the prevailing sentiment among many residents:
“The ceasefire is rubbish. Do you expect me to ring around my friends and say, ‘All the families should come home?’ No.”
Even though the ceasefire officially took hold, the experience of the past year is hard to forget. The fear of Hezbollah remains deeply embedded in the minds of the residents. For many, the ceasefire doesn’t bring peace—it merely pauses the inevitable return of violence. And given the frequency of Hezbollah‘s attacks even after the ceasefire was announced, there is little reason for them to believe the situation has truly been neutralized.
Fleeing War: Over 45,000 Israelis Left the North
When the violence escalated, roughly 45,000 Israelis evacuated northern regions, seeking safety further south. Kibbutz Malkiya and other border towns were abandoned as residents feared for their lives. The ceasefire is supposed to mark the end of that suffering, but for many, it’s simply a temporary calm.
Sarah Gould, a resident who evacuated her Kibbutz Malkiya home with her children, reflected on her doubts about the ceasefire:
“Hezbollah fired on the community up to and just past the minute when the ceasefire took effect early Wednesday. So for the government to tell me that Hezbollah is neutralized, it’s a perfect lie.”
For Sarah, the ceasefire’s promises seem empty. The reality is that Hezbollah’s presence in southern Lebanon could easily be revived. So, the question remains: How can Israel’s military guarantee the safety of these northern communities when the threat of attack is still very real?
Displaced Families Rebuild, But Reluctance to Return Remains
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are still attempting to push Hezbollah further back, with UN peacekeepers tasked with ensuring the group doesn’t return to the areas where it had previously entrenched itself. But for many who fled the region, the idea of returning is complicated.
Gould, for example, acknowledges that while some may trickle back to areas farther from the border, communities such as Kibbutz Manara, situated between Lebanon and Syria, remain largely deserted. Despite the quiet in some areas, the fear that Hezbollah could regroup and attack again looms large.
The damage to infrastructure in northern communities is also a major deterrent. In Kibbutz Manara, homes were severely damaged by Hezbollah’s rockets, with parts of the kibbutz left uninhabitable due to bombings and fires. In this community, three-quarters of the structures were damaged, leaving residents uncertain whether it’s worth returning to their old lives.
Trust in UN Peacekeepers: An Uncertain Future
For some residents, such as Orna Weinberg from Kibbutz Manara, the United Nations peacekeeping forces do little to instill confidence in the long-term viability of the ceasefire.
“UNIFIL hadn’t prevented Hezbollah’s build-up in the past, so why would they be able to now?” she asked.
The perception that UN peacekeepers have failed in the past to stop Hezbollah’s advances only adds to the anxiety surrounding the ceasefire. It’s clear that many feel abandoned by both their government and the international community. Despite the ceasefire, there’s still a deep sense of vulnerability.
Returning Home: A Battle Beyond Security Concerns
Even if security were guaranteed, the emotional and psychological costs of returning to a community marked by loss and trauma cannot be ignored. Many families, like Sarah Gould’s, have started new lives elsewhere, further south. Moving back to a border town—a place once full of family memories but now haunted by loss—feels more like an obligation than a choice.
“It’s not just a security issue. We’ve spent more than a year rebuilding our lives wherever we landed. It’s a question of having to gather that up and move back somewhere else,” Gould said.
For some, it may take months, if not longer, before they feel comfortable returning. In the meantime, many displaced Israelis remain in hotels or with relatives, far from the conflict zone. As long as they’re unsure about the region’s safety, returning home will remain a distant prospect.
Conclusion: A Long Road to Recovery
Though the ceasefire may hold for now, the road to rebuilding northern Israel is a long one. The residents who once called these communities home still live with the scars of war—both physical and emotional. For many, returning isn’t just about safety; it’s about rebuilding a sense of normalcy that has been shattered by months of violence.
The government’s role in supporting these communities is crucial, but it’s unclear whether it will be enough to overcome the widespread distrust that persists. Time will tell whether the peace can hold, but for now, most Israelis remain cautious and wary, waiting for real assurances of safety before they make the difficult decision to return.
Relevant Links for Further Reading
- Kibbutz Malkiya
- Hezbollah
- UNIFIL
- Israeli Military
- Lebanon Conflict
