Following a tense ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, residents of northern Israel are cautiously returning to their homes, but with mixed emotions. In cities like Kiryat Shmona, once bustling with life, the streets remain eerily quiet, and the signs of war are everywhere. Many residents are trying to rebuild their lives, but the shadow of the conflict still looms large.
As tensions with Hezbollah remain unresolved, Israel’s northern communities are grappling with their hopes for peace, fears of further escalation, and the weight of recent violence. The ceasefire, while offering a temporary respite, hasn’t erased the scars left on these communities.
This post aims to explore the lived experiences of northern Israel’s residents after the ceasefire, shedding light on their challenges, fears, and hopes for the future.
The Aftermath of the Ceasefire: Kiryat Shmona’s Struggle to Rebuild
Kiryat Shmona, located just a few kilometres from the Lebanese border, tells a poignant story of the toll war has taken on Israel’s northern communities. Before the evacuation, the city had about 20,000 residents. Today, it is a ghost town. Shops are shuttered, buildings are damaged, and the usual hum of daily life is replaced by the unsettling silence of a city in mourning.
The Impact of Hezbollah’s Attacks
On October 8, 2023, Hezbollah began firing rockets and artillery at Israel’s northern border, resulting in 45 civilian deaths in the region. Over 96,000 Israelis were forced to flee as border communities faced direct attacks, including Kiryat Shmona, where dozens of homes were destroyed and more than 1,000 were damaged. Essential infrastructure such as schools and the bus station were also targeted.
These attacks were framed by Hezbollah as part of their support for Hamas, who launched a deadly assault in southern Israel just a day earlier. The conflict, which has left nearly 1,200 Israelis dead and 250 abducted, has severely disrupted life on both sides of the border. Israeli military operations have countered these aggressions, preventing further escalation but also leading to significant destruction in Lebanon.
Ceasefire Relief, but Still a Long Road Ahead
Two days after the ceasefire came into effect, Kiryat Shmona remained largely abandoned. The recent ceasefire brokered after 14 months of fighting has brought some relief, but the damage is clear. Many residents who had been displaced are now faced with the daunting question of whether it’s safe to return. While there’s a palpable sense of hope that the worst is behind them, the scars of the past remain fresh.
Challenges for Returning Families
For residents like Ayelet Lev from Gonen, a kibbutz on the northern border, the journey back to normalcy is slow and fraught with emotional challenges. After evacuating to the Kinneret, Lev and her family decided to return to their home in Gonen. “I said, we’re staying, I don’t care,” she reflects. Yet, even in her determination, there’s an underlying fear. Her home, like so many others, has been shaken by months of rocket fire, explosions, and the terrifying sound of air raid sirens.
Despite the physical damage to homes and the fear of future attacks, Lev’s connection to her land and home runs deep. “I will never leave here, even if more rockets fall,” she says defiantly. However, the psychological toll is evident as she recounts the terror her children faced, hiding in safe rooms for hours at a time.
A Divided Sentiment: Desiring Peace, But Distrusting Hezbollah
Lev’s feelings about the ceasefire are complex. On one hand, she desperately hopes for peace and an end to the endless cycle of violence. The loss of soldiers, the destruction of lives, and the profound emotional strain of living in a war zone have left her family exhausted. Her son, soon to enlist, is a constant source of worry. Yet, on the other hand, Lev voices a deep mistrust of Hezbollah, the group responsible for the northern rocket attacks. “You can never trust Hezbollah,” she states, highlighting the uncertainty of whether this ceasefire will hold or whether further attacks could be on the horizon.
Life in Northern Israel: More Than Just the Rockets
While the violence has claimed lives and displaced thousands, the hardest blow for many residents has been the emptiness left behind. As Lev describes, “Everything is abandoned. Friends were evacuated to hotels and are still afraid to come back.” This sense of abandonment has been pervasive. Communities that once thrived now feel hollow, and even those who have returned are not fully committed to resuming normal life. Many people, including Lev’s friends, have found it difficult to settle in new schools or homes in safer regions and are hesitant to return to their previous lives.
The Strain on Families: A War That Never Truly Ends
The emotional and psychological toll of the past 14 months cannot be understated. For many families, the war is not just about the immediate dangers of rocket fire but about the long-term effects on their children, their homes, and their communities. Lev’s 12-year-old daughter, who has been deeply affected by the constant barrage of rockets, is still struggling with fear, a fear that many families across northern Israel are grappling with.
What Comes Next? The Ongoing Struggle for Peace and Stability
The ceasefire may have brought a temporary pause to the violence, but for the residents of northern Israel, the future remains uncertain. The political climate and military dynamics in the region remain volatile, and many families are left questioning whether peace is truly possible. As Lev and other residents look to the future, they are left with a mix of hope and fear.
As the ceasefire continues to hold, Israelis living in the northern regions are confronted with the monumental task of rebuilding their lives. But, as Lev poignantly puts it, “We are on our own.”
Relevant Links for Further Reading:
- Hezbollah and Israel: A Historical Overview
- Israel-Gaza Conflict Timeline
- Northern Israel’s War-Torn Communities
Photo credit: CNN
