North is far from healed, despite end of war: Israeli media
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Israeli media discusses the Israeli youth's aversion to returning to their houses in northern occupied Palestine, despite the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon.
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A man works on the roof of an apartment building struck by projectiles fired from Lebanon, in northwest occupied Palestine, on November 9, 2024. (AP)
The war on Lebanon is over, but the North is far from healed, Israeli media stated, noting that most northern settlers have not returned to their houses for a myriad of reasons.
According to Israel Hayom, an initiative by young Israelis, called "Heading North", recently conducted a survey that revealed 93% of the youth who left the North due to the war have no intention of returning to the area. The main reasons cited include fear and uncertainty about what will happen after the 60-day truce period stipulated in the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon.
Israeli media further reported that the direct damages to northern settlements are estimated at around 5 billion shekels. Meanwhile, indirect damages are estimated to range between 3.5 and 4 billion shekels, excluding the Israeli military's combat costs, which also encompass billions, as well as evacuation and assistance costs.
In addition to direct damages to thousands of homes and apartments, factories, vehicles, infrastructure, public buildings, and electricity and water systems were also affected.
'The US pressured us into a bad agreement'
Meanwhile, Israeli Major General Eliezer "Chayni" Marom, the former commander of the Israeli Navy, slammed the "rushed" ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, the Walla website reported.
Marom, who until recently was responsible for rehabilitating the occu[ied north, added, "It seems the Americans pressured us, and we agreed to a bad agreement, which sets timelines for the Israeli army's withdrawal from Lebanon."
"We should have said that there already exists an agreement: UN Resolution 1701, which stipulates a buffer zone between us and Hezbollah, preventing their movement southward. All we needed to say was that since you have not enforced this resolution until now, we will enforce it, and anyone moving southward will be dealt with," he concluded.
'No faith in the government'
Following the establishment of the ceasefire, Israeli Channel 12 reported that settlers in the North will not immediately return to their homes following the agreement with Lebanon.
The channel further noted that Hezbollah's strikes have created a dilemma for settlers in the North, leaving many genuinely uncertain about whether there is anything to return to.
An Israeli political commentator on Kan Channel outlined what he called "issues" with the agreement with Lebanon, emphasizing the lack of a buffer zone to distance southern Lebanon’s residents from the confrontation line—specifically the border with occupied Palestine—which he argued is crucial for ensuring the settlers’ security.
He argued that the agreement lacked a clear provision allowing the occupation entity to "attack Lebanon in response to every violation."
Read more: Northern Israeli settlements chiefs: Truce gives Hezbollah upper hand
