'Israel' stuck in limbo over security in North, mayor says
2 Min Read
Kiryat Shmona’s mayor warns that "Israel" remains unprepared in the north, with only 50% of settlers returning and critical infrastructure lacking.
-
Firefighters work to extinguish a fire after a rocket, fired from Lebanon, hit a local municipality storage in Kiryat Shmona, northern occupied Palestine, on September 24, 2024. (AP)
Kiryat Shmona Mayor Avichai Stern confirmed that "Israel is still stuck in limbo in terms of security in the north," asserting that the Israeli occupation "has not learned its lessons."
In an interview for "Israel's" Kan Channel on Friday, Stern noted that only 50% of settlers have returned to Kiryat Shmona and just 30% of businesses have resumed operations.
Settlers reluctant to return
According to Yedioth Ahronoth, many settlers remain hesitant to return to the north due to a prevalent state of insecurity and a lack of basic services.
David Azoulay, head of the Metulla Council, echoed these concerns, warning that "there is no place to return," emphasizing that absorbing settlers again is currently unfeasible.
He further took a swing at Israeli ministers for prematurely encouraging returns.
"It is impossible to declare a return when there is no basic infrastructure to maintain community life," Azoulay stressed.
'No place to return to'
It is worth noting that Israeli Channel 14's website reported in February that the estimated damage in Israeli settlements within the evacuated area in northern occupied Palestine amounts to approximately 9 billion shekels (over $2.5 billion), with around 2,900 buildings affected by Hezbollah fire from Lebanon.
According to the plan presented by Likud Knesset member Ze'ev Elkin, who is responsible for overseeing the reconstruction of the north, direct damages are estimated at around 5.5 billion shekels, while indirect damages amount to 3.5 billion shekels. Additionally, 103 educational institutions in the evacuated northern area, covering 43 settlements within 3.5 kilometers of the Lebanese-Palestinian border, sustained damage.
Among these settlements is Metulla, whose council head, David Azoulay, reiterated that it is impossible to receive settlers there, stating, "There is no place to return to."
Azoulay criticized the conduct of Israeli government ministers, asserting that "it is impossible to announce a return when there is no basic infrastructure to sustain community life."
In this regard, he highlighted that over 70% of housing units in Metulla have been damaged, with 50% in such poor condition that they are uninhabitable.
