In northern Israel, displaced people from Kiryat Shmona lose hope of return

Time moves so slowly in Netanya. By the sea, 30 kilometers north of Tel Aviv, a huge hotel in the city has been welcoming for more than a year fifty families from Kiryat Shmona, a town located in the very north of Israel, in the “finger of the Galilee”, which adjoins the border with Lebanon. Following the massacre of October 7, 2023 committed by Hamas commandos in the south of Hebrew territory, Hezbollah rockets began to fall on the north. Nearly 23,000 residents of Kiryat Shmona, out of an estimated population of 25,000, then left.

Children go to neighboring schools, parents telework, but the idleness is palpable. “For more than a year, I have never gone back to see my house”laments Lelach, 35 years old, accountant in the army and mother of a 7-year-old little girl (like all the women mentioned, she wishes to give only her first name). “Look how the vegetation has grown, I no longer recognize mine”said Ya’ara, showing on her smartphone images captured by the surveillance cameras of her home, located in the village of Sivan, just 1 kilometer from the Lebanese border.

“We support Bibi”

Netanya’s long beach, which stretches across the road, attracts no one. In small groups, the displaced people from Kiryat Shmona walk in circles between the reception chairs and the restaurant room. The latest rumors and information are debated with irritation. Started on September 23, the Israeli offensive on Lebanon rejoices the families, at the same time as it has ruined their hopes of a rapid return. Lelach swears he saw the entrance to a tunnel with his own eyes “terrorist” next to his daughter’s school, and doesn’t want to leave. “Everyone here supports “Bibi” [surnom du premier ministre, Benyamin Nétanyahou], “Bibi” lives! »she says. In the hubbub, many blame the former head of government, Ehud Barak, guilty of having withdrawn Israeli troops from southern Lebanon in 2000. Others accuse the anti-war demonstrators, who are still very much in the minority, of weakening the country.

“It’s difficult for all these people, they ruminate all day and some are desperateconfides Tal Shkelim, 49 years old, aside. I myself have my parents and my sister in Jerusalem, a brother in Eilat [tout au sud du pays] with his family, whom I haven’t seen in months, and yet another in Tel Aviv. We are all separate from each other. » “The situationhe continues,It’s particularly hard for the elderly, they want to die at home, but yesterday an old lady died here in the hotel, so I’m doing what I can to help them. » This lawyer is part of a team of 40 people, paid by the municipality – managed by a young mayor from Likud, Mr. Netanyahu’s party – to provide assistance to its citizens, who are scattered everywhere.

You have 65.36% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.