North kibbutz bordering evacuated zone, 'new Israeli de facto border'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
21 Aug 2024 18:36
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Israeli media reports that this kibbutz in western al-Jalil is now the last outpost before the evacuated zone.

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Israeli security forces examine the scene of a shooting operation near the Israeli settlement of Hamra on April 7, 2023. (AP)

Israeli media reported on Wednesday that this occupied kibbutz in Western occupied al-Jalil now marks the last outpost before the evacuated zone, sitting on the edge of what has become "Israel’s" de facto northern border.

When the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon started its operations in the northern settlements, the Israeli occupation government evacuated nearly the entire settler population near the Lebanon border—approximately 61,000 settlers. This kibbutz, located about 7.6 kilometers (4.7 miles) from the northern border, now lies less than a kilometer (0.6 miles) south of the evacuation zone.

As "Israel" remains on high alert for retaliation from Hezbollah and Iran following the recent assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and senior commander Fouad Shokor in Beirut, Amzel observed that he and about 1,100 settlers who have stayed on the kibbutz—around 70% of the population—must adjust to a reality where the region’s pastoral beauty is increasingly overshadowed by constant vigilance.

'Settlers evacuate, move away'

According to Israeli media, of the 400 settler families who resided on the kibbutz before October 7, about a third have "self-evacuated" and moved away. Other than relocation, Israeli businesses were affected, driving settlers to remain pessimistic about the future of the occupation entity.

“People used to have to wait an hour for pizza, I was that busy,” said a PIzza business owner, adding “My business is now 10 percent of what it used to be.” He said, “To run a business in Israel is suicide; to run a business in the war is even worse,” adding, “I’m pessimistic about the whole country,” he said. “But there’s nobody to repair what’s wrong.”

Earlier last month, the Israeli Coface Bdi company reported that since the beginning of the Israeli war on Gaza, 46,000 Israeli businesses have closed. The company, specializing in business information for credit risk management, has been analyzing and ranking businesses and companies in the Israeli economy for approximately 35 years.

According to Maariv, Yoel Amir, the CEO of Coface Bdi, explained to Maariv on Wednesday that the number is considered a high number encompassing many sectors, with about 77% of the businesses closed since the beginning of the war, around 35,000, being small businesses with up to five employees.

On another note, earlier today, Hezbollah launched a series of drone and rocket attacks on key Israeli military targets, including the Tsnobar base in the occupied Syrian Golan with a salvo of Katyusha rockets.

Israeli media have reported that more than five Israelis were injured and several buildings in Katzrin, located in the Golan Heights, sustained damage due to over 60 rockets launched from Lebanon. More than 60 rockets were fired from Lebanon at Katzrin amid reports of direct impacts in Katzrin and the Golan Heights.

The official Israeli radio reported that the Israeli military had shut down multiple roads and access routes in the Golan following the rocket fire. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers in Katzrin have been advised to remain in fortified shelters for their safety.