Settlers are frantic, Hezbollah rockets earth-shaking: Israeli media
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The mayor of "Nesher" raises concern for the settlers of the north calling on them to "store food, medicine, generators, and not rely on the state."
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Israeli security forces deployed in the streets after a double ramming-stabbing operation at a bus stop, in "Ra'anana", occupied Palestine, Monday, January 15, 2024 (AP)
Israeli media confirmed today that the Lebanese Resistance has intensified heavy rocket fire from Lebanon toward military sites and settlements across the border, noting that in 24 hours only, Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward, including ATGMs, bringing the total number of Hezbollah's targets yesterday to 13.
Yair Kraus, the correspondent for the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth in al-Jalil and the Golan Heights, reported that Hezbollah doubled down on the usage of Burkan and Falaq-1 rockets in its operations, which are highly destructive rockets that have debuted into the field in this recent confrontation.
Northern settler committee head: we hear the explosion then the sirens
"The Burkan missile that fell near us, fired by Hezbollah, is a terrifying rocket carrying between 100 to 500 kilograms of explosive materials. The rockets fired by Hezbollah cause significant damage within a radius of 150 meters and leave deadly destruction," Baruch Lajziel, the head of the committee of the "Even Menachem" settlement, told Yedioth Ahronoth.
The head of the committee of "Even Menachem" explained that all the remaining settlers now can identify the rocket employed in the attack because if it's a Burkan or a Falaq-1, the entire ground shakes and the missile leaves a large crater in the ground.
"The settlers on the front lines do not hear any alarm sirens at all; instead, they hear the explosion first and then the alarm sirens afterward," he added. "Hezbollah is constantly shelling the Biranit barracks, which is about 8 kilometers away, so every attack on the base drives us [the northern settlers] crazy."
'We're not ready for war': Settlers of the North
Furthermore, Israeli media reported that the Israeli settler community, especially, is consumed by a general mood of distrust with the incumbent Israeli government.
"The Israeli public doesn't know what this government wants and what it plans for," Israeli media reported.
Israeli media quoted the mayor of "Nesher" as saying, "War in the north will be earth-shattering."
A week ago, according to Israeli media, the mayor reportedly left a meeting with the Minister of the Interior "extremely concerned."
The mayor presented to the Minister the horrific scenario in case the battle broke out on the northern front, warning, "We are not ready for war, there is no evacuation plan, we have not attended to the dangerous topic factories, and the public is not told the whole truth."
The mayor raised concern for the settlers of the north calling on them to "store food, medicine, generators, and not rely on the state."
Read more: Hezbollah documents the targeting of Israeli naval spying equipment
Official campaign of precautionary, fortification measures a win for Hezbollah
Israeli media also reported that another dilemma that grips the Israeli Interior Front Command is how to prepare the settler society for the possibility of expanding the war.
Israeli reports stated that the leadership of the Israeli Interior Front is facing one of the most tangible questions that have occupied the IOF leadership for years: Is it in the Israeli best interest to embark on a campaign of precautionary and fortification to prepare the settlers for a possible war in the north against Hezbollah?
According to Israeli media, decision-makers are aware that moving in this direction will increase readiness but will undoubtedly also sow panic, which would serve Hezbollah's interests.
It must be "clearly stated", according to Israeli media, that an official directive from the Interior Front Command to prepare for would have a resounding impact on the settler society: total panic, market collapse, and erosion of confidence in the occupation entity if nothing happens.
Read more: Sayyed Nasrallah: On the Lebanese front, all options are on the table
