After the Hamas attacks on October 7, Israel responded by launching the offensive in Gaza. At the same time, Lebanese Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on northern Israel, forcing it to evacuate more than 60,000 inhabitants from the border area. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects any prospect of a ceasefire. Today, the Israeli army’s military offensive in Lebanon revives their hope of returning home.
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From our special correspondent in Haifa,
Metula is located almost on the border between Israel and Lebanon. Too close for the anti-missile system to work: after a year of almost daily shooting, the city is ravaged. That’s where Jacob Katz comes from, nine years in the Israeli navy and mayor of the city for ten years. Now relocated to a hotel in Haifa, he unreservedly supports the new Israeli offensive in Lebanon.
“ Of course it’s a new hope. How long should we stay at the hotel? The army and all its largest forces must get involved, both north and south, until the political situation changes 180 degrees. No matter the price! There is no other way. There is no other way… »
Zion Arvit comes from Zarit, a border town also evacuated. Rehoused in Haifa with his wife and one of his children – the other two serve in the army – for almost a year, he is also waiting to be able to return home. With uninhibited Islamophobia, he advocates the strong approach.
“ I don’t know a state in the world that would accept being shot at for a year without responding. War is essential. Muslims have never heard anything else. It’s justified. Force is the only solution. »
It has been almost a year since the Israeli government promised to release the hostages and put an end to Hamas in Gaza. But the deaths are piling up, by tens of thousands, and the “ victory » is still not there.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu now has a new objective: to use “ strength in Lebanon » to bring the inhabitants of the North home.
Many mayors from northern Israel, meeting in Qiryat Shmona, today expressed their opposition to the proposed ceasefire.
Also readIn northern Israel, the city of Haifa under rocket fire from Lebanese Hezbollah