70% of settlers evacuated from the North consider not returning
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Despite Israeli claims of dismantling military infrastructure, dozens of rockets and drones continue to pound the North, as a majority of settlers fear returning.
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An Israeli settler stands in a damaged building following an attack from Lebanon, in occupied Akka, northern occupied Palestine, on August 25, 2024. (AP)
A recent survey conducted by the Israeli 121 Association and the 710 Project reveals significant concerns among evacuated Israeli settlers.
70% of those evacuated from the North, occupied areas to the South of Lebanon, expressed intentions of avoiding returning to their colonial outposts.
The study, which involved a representative sample of evacuees from both southern and northern regions, found that half of those surveyed are contemplating not returning to such settlements.
60% of all evacuees have experienced damage to their livelihoods, while 53% rated the government's response to their employment challenges as poor.
The findings, based on data collected in September, indicate that 68% of evacuees have seen their income decline, and a similar percentage reported a lack of employment assistance.
To add to the crises faced by evacuated settlers, 1 in 5 are currently unemployed and 52% cited financial barriers to education as a significant obstacle.
Read more: Netanyahu's aggressive tactics could blow up 'Israel': The Guardian
Situation getting worse by the day
In related news, Israeli media reported that business owners in Haifa experienced a near 90% drop in income for the month of October 2024.
"People are not going out into the streets, and the situation in Haifa is concerning and far from simple," an Israeli shop owner said.
Moreover, the head of the Israeli Upper al-Jalil Council, Giora Zaltz, noted that Hezbollah's expanding operations in the North are becoming more lethal and powerful with each passing day.
Zlatz underlined that conditions in the north are deteriorating from bad to worse, with alarm sirens sounding daily due to drone and missile launches by Hezbollah. He also pointed to the dozens of destroyed buildings and thousands of burnt woodland and farmland.
Approximately 100,000 settlers have been evacuated, he explained.
"We are currently without any vital services such as health, banking, and educational systems," he stated.
Read more: Hezbollah claims responsibility for attack on Netanyahu's residence
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
