Many residents in northern Israel told CNA they are furious about the security situation and feel abandoned by their government.
Mr Gidi Harari, a Shear Yashuv resident who is a volunteer civilian defender, said Israeli leaders have not done enough to protect those near the northern borders.
“We feel forgotten because we don’t see anyone (from the government) coming and asking us what we feel and what we want. The people are alone here,” he said.
Residents in border areas have been instructed by the Israel Defense Forces to stay close to shelters and to limit gatherings.
Hezbollah had said its early morning attack on Aug 25 was only the initial phase of its retaliation for the assassination of top military commander Fuad Shukr in south Beirut in July.
Israel – and the wider region – are also anticipating a promised strike by Iran, after the head of Hamas’ political bureau Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran.
Fears of an all-out war between Israel and Iran have prompted the United States and its allies to deploy additional warships and military hardware to the region, and hastened efforts by international mediators to broker peace in Gaza.
LEBANESE RESIDENTS NEAR BORDER
Across the border in Lebanon, more than 800 people have been killed by Israeli strikes since last October, when Hezbollah started an offensive against Israel in support of Hamas.
Most of the dead are Hezbollah fighters, but about 100 are civilians and non-combatants.
More than 100,000 people have fled their homes in the country’s south since hostilities erupted, while those still living along the border are grappling with fear over how the conflict would play out.
“I cannot go into my house and sleep with peace of mind,” said Mr Jamil Al-Jouki, a Bourj Al-Muluk resident.
His family is among 150,000 who have remained within the conflict zone, saying they want to stay close to their farms and vineyards.
“Our land is around us, but we cannot go there, we cannot. We are sitting drinking coffee with oppression and fear,” he said.
Source: CNA
