Northern settlers are hesitant, waiting for evacuation extension: Ynet
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Two days before the expiration of the Israeli government's decision to evacuate tens of thousands of settlers from the north, Yedioth Ahronoth confirms that many settlers are "still hesitant" about returning.
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Fires and smoke rise at houses in the northern occupied border town of Metulla, hit by Hezbollah shelling, as seen from the Lebanese town of Marjayoun, Lebanon, on June 22, 2024. (AP)
Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth confirmed that many settlers "remain hesitant and are awaiting the Supreme Court's decisions regarding the demands of the Kiryat Shmona settlements and the local councils in Metulla and Mount Hermon."
These demands call for an extension of the evacuation period and the continuation of temporary schools until the end of the school year to allow sufficient time for relocation preparations.
This comes two days before the expiration of the Israeli government's decision to evacuate tens of thousands of settlers from the north and return them to 42 settlements from which they were evacuated in October 2023.
The newspaper reported that "the government insists on returning everyone, even to settlements that have not yet prepared to receive them."
For instance, in Metulla, officials are awaiting the government’s response to their appeal to the Supreme Court, requesting an extension of the evacuation of approximately 2,000 settlers for an additional four months. This appeal cites the extensive damage caused by Hezbollah fire, as well as the destruction resulting from the presence of Israeli forces in homes and public buildings.
'No faith in government'
In this context, the newspaper reported that the head of the Metulla Council, David Azoulay, "lacks confidence in the government," prompting the council to launch an "emergency campaign to collect donations" in the "hope of compensating for the government's shortcomings."
It is worth noting that Azoulay reiterated his position a few days ago, stating that it is impossible to absorb the settlers again, as "there is no place to return." He criticized the behavior of Israeli government ministers, emphasizing that "it is impossible to declare a return when there is no basic infrastructure to sustain community life."
In this context, Azoulay highlighted that "over 70% of the homes in Metulla were damaged, with 50% in such a dire condition that they are uninhabitable."
He added, "The educational system has been devastated, public institutions are in ruins, and even property tax officials acknowledge that there is no solution yet."
The damage to Israeli settlements in the evacuated area of northern occupied Palestine is estimated at around 9 billion shekels (over 2.5 billion dollars), with approximately 2,900 buildings damaged by Hezbollah fire in Lebanon, according to a report from Israeli Channel 14.
According to a plan presented by Likud MK Zeev Elkin, head of the Northern Reconstruction Administration, the direct damage is estimated at 5.5 billion shekels ($1.5 billion), while the indirect damage amounts to 3.5 billion shekels ($985 million).
