The mayor of the Metulla settlement, David Azoulay, has voiced strong opposition to the return of Israeli settlers to the northernmost settlement in occupied Palestine near the border with Lebanon at this stage, citing severe security risks and widespread fear among settler communities, Israeli media reported.

In an urgent letter to newly appointed Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Azoulay urged authorities "not to bring back Metulla’s residents at this stage due to serious security threats and the absence of a comprehensive, systematic response."

Azoulay revealed that so far, only about 100 of the 2,400 settlers from Metulla have returned, emphasizing that they remain deeply fearful and unwilling to return under current conditions.

According to Maariv, Azoulay stressed that settlers are reluctant to return—if they choose to return at all—until a thorough assessment of the ceasefire’s stability and the overall security situation is conducted.

Settlement representatives echoed these concerns, asserting in the letter that the return of settlers is neither logical nor safe. They criticized Israeli authorities for failing to learn from the "northern events" and for not investigating the critical security failures that led to the mass evacuation.

Further concerns were raised about the deteriorating infrastructure in Metulla and the unchecked presence of weapons in both public and private spaces.

In late February, Israeli media described Metulla as "still resembling a war zone," with hundreds of homes damaged, schools destroyed, and the municipality forced to operate out of a bunker. 

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A recent survey cited by Israeli media revealed that 62% of settlers have no plans to return in March, while 16% stated they will never return.

Recalling the war with Lebanon that erupted on October 8, 2023, Azoulay described Metulla as having turned into "a daily scene of destruction," forcing around 2,100 settlers to flee.

Read more: Reconstruction budgets for Israeli settlements on hold: Israeli media

Lebanese Army warns against Israeli escalation in South

Since the ceasefire agreement took effect in Lebanon on November 27, 2024, the Israeli occupation has committed more than 1,000 violations, including airstrikes, artillery shelling, reconnaissance flights, and machine gun fire, resulting in nearly 400 casualties.

Despite nearly four months having passed since the war's end, the Israeli entity continues to occupy Lebanese territories in the south, at least five strategic Lebanese hills, without any announced plans for withdrawal.

The Lebanese Army Command stated on Thursday that "the Israeli occupation continues its violations of Lebanon's sovereignty by land, sea, and air, with the latest incidents including a series of attacks targeting civilians in the South and the Bekaa region in eastern Lebanon, in addition to its ongoing occupation of Lebanese territory and repeated breaches of the land borders."

In its statement, the Lebanese Army warned that "Israel's persistent aggressions threaten the country's stability and negatively impact regional security," emphasizing that such actions "are in complete violation of the ceasefire agreement."

The army also announced that its military units "continue to facilitate the return of residents to the southern areas by clearing unexploded ordnance, removing debris, and reopening roads."

It confirmed that it is monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures in coordination with the Quintet Committee overseeing the ceasefire agreement and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).