Israeli media: Settlers not returning north for fear of Hezbollah
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Military affairs expert for the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said that "It is not possible to return to Metulla and Shtula while they (Hezbollah) are there."
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Flares from the Israeli occupation over the southern Lebanese border village of Aita al-Shaab, on October 28, 2023 (AFP)
Israeli media and the Israeli Deputy Chief of Staff both concur that the situation in the north of occupied Palestine is intolerable and that they will not return there as long as Hezbollah is present.
Fires broke out near the al-Abbad Israeli military site after occupation forces based inside opened fire within the vicinity of the base, using machine guns and mortars, as a result of heightened fear of a Hezbollah operation, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported on Saturday.
Yossi Yehoshua, a military affairs expert for the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, expressed that "It is not possible to return to Metulla and Shtula while they (Hezbollah) are there."
Yehoshua added that there will be "no tourism," and neither will anyone "go out for a walk in the north while the situation is as such."
Early Sunday, Hezbollah announced that the Lebanese Resistance targeted four Israeli military sites in north-occupied Palestine; al-Abbad and Risha outposts, in addition to al-Jardah and al-Marj bases. The Resistance confirmed all operations achieved their objectives and were conducted using a range of different weapons.
Yehoshua explained that "Nasrallah is reading, following, and listening to what is being said here, and we will not be able to end this war, while the Radwan unit is still on the contact line."
According to Benny Gantz, the Israelis will not be victorious until the "residents of 'Pieri' and 'Metulla' return to their homes, knowing that they are safe and protected.”
The head of authority in 'Metulla', David Azulai, confirmed the fears, explaining that if Hezbollah begins attacking, forces will need to move north, adding that "We cannot bear it, and we cannot live like this."
Occupation facing logistical difficulties with settler transfers
Azulai detailed how more than 50% of Israelis expressed they would not return to the border if Hezbollah remained present.
Recently, a former Israeli commander of the northern region, Amir Baram expressed that a solution to the issue must be found since Israeli settlers are incapable of returning to orchards to harvest and there is pressure on hotels.
In a clear indicator of the Israeli failure to bear the burden of a protracted period of conflict, former occupation security minister Avigdor Lieberman criticized individuals who talked of long months of battle, accusing them of not living reality.
Lieberman mentioned the huge displacement of settlers, emphasizing that they "will not return to their regions."
Israeli media previously revealed that "Israel" was unprepared for this level of settler transfers and confirmed that the situation was chaotic with “many logistical difficulties.”
Northern settlements void of Israeli settlers: Israeli media
Israeli media sources have confirmed that the relocation of at least 125,000 settlers from settlements in southern and northern occupied Palestine is underway. This comes as both fronts are witnessing increased Resistance operations against Israeli occupation bases and settlements.
The correspondent of the Israeli Kan outlet said that "there are almost no settlers near the northern borders." More than 60,000 settlers have been evacuated from settlements along the northern borders of occupied Palestine with Lebanon, and the region is experiencing "cautious calm," he added.
Israeli media have previously highlighted the frustration felt by Israeli settlers in the north of occupied Palestine after they were forced to vacate their settlements following their shelling by the Lebanese Resistance.
Israeli Channel 12 noted that settlements up to 5 km away from Lebanon’s southern borders were vacated, clarifying that nearly 60,000 settlers have been evacuated from the north, 20,000 of whom reside in “Kiryat Shmona”.
In addition, the Israeli emergency authority and occupation army added 14 northern settlements within 5km from the Lebanese border to the evacuation plan funded by the government, following approval from Security Minister Yoav Gallant.
