Israeli cmdr calls settlers displacement Hezbollah top achievement

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Jun 2024 22:58

"Looking back, I would have prevented the evacuation of settlements in the north like Ya'ara, Batsat, and Lehman. Hezbollah's greatest achievement is the fact that there are tens of thousands of displaced people in the north," the chief of the Northern Command said.

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Israeli security forces examine the site hit by a rocket fired from Lebanon, in Kiryat Shmona settlement, northern Palestine, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP)

The commander of the Northern Command Major General Ori Gordin labelled the evacuation of dozens of settlements as Hezbollah's greatest achievement, Israeli news agencies reported on Friday.

During a private meeting with settlers and other high-ranking officials in the settlement of Manot, the official reportedly said, "Looking back, I would have prevented the evacuation of settlements in the north like Ya'ara, Batsat, and Lehman. Hezbollah's greatest achievement is the fact that there are tens of thousands of displaced people in the north."

According to Ynet news agency, the meeting was held behind closed doors where cell phones were prohibited and the conversation was not documented.

After eight months of living in an area that has turned into a "security belt," settlers gathered to meet and discuss the "feelings of anger and disappointment overwhelmed them due to the long time that has passed without their needs and crisis being addressed by the state," Ynet added.

The report highlights settlers' grievances voiced to senior officers, complaining about the lack of compensation for their vital roles in the tourism sector, now completely halted. Many residents expressed being confined at home with their children, unable to work due to the circumstances and the insufficient educational resources available. They further sought clarity on the anticipated duration of the war and advocated for the provision of weaponry to every family.

Tensions in the North

Earlier in the day, Channel 12's correspondent on the northern front Adar Giatzis reported on the current situation on the northern border, saying, "Another tense day here, another day witnessing rocket launches and the targeting of homes, beginning with a heavy barrage towards Kiryat Shmona and its surroundings, 33 rockets in a single barrage from Lebanon."

"Seven rockets fell on Kiryat Shmona, directly hitting a house, and this is not the first, second, or even the fifth time, with news reaching a family located away from home that it was completely destroyed due to direct hits," Giatzis added.

According to what followed, "This adds to the launching of anti-tank missiles, at least 6 missiles were also launched today towards Metula, Avivim, and the settlements adjacent to the fence in the eastern sector, and I learned about a power outage in the Avivim area."

The Israeli correspondent pointed out that "a private house in Metula was hit as a result of [rockets], in addition to more infrastructure being damaged, and this is just in one day, that is, only a few hours of gunfire."

He noted that "in the past three days, more than 300 rockets were launched towards the north of the country, 16 drones entered our territory, which enhances the great challenge facing the security and military establishment, in the face of the threats of drones entering from Lebanon."

In contrast to this escalation from the southern Lebanon front, Giatzis affirmed that "nothing has changed in the instructions of the Home Front," noting that "from here on out, it is impossible to predict where Hezbollah will fire, but according to the instructions of the Home Front, life must continue as normal, with stores open and operations proceeding as usual, but remaining vigilant to developments."

Mobilization in Hospitals

Regarding hospitals in the North, the Israeli correspondent revealed a "high state of alert," adding that "there are underground departments in Nahariya and in Ziv, as well as in Haifa, ready to possibly treat those injured under fire."

He pointed out that "so far at this stage, they are trying to maintain a normal life, but in this routine, there are quite a few teams on high alert, in order to prepare for the possibility of widespread gunfire and a large number of casualties."