Israeli settlers reluctant to return to northern occupie

An Israeli soldier stands in front of a house hit by Hezbollah rockets in the deserted Israeli settlement of Metula on November 4, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

A recent report has revealed that Israeli settlers are still reluctant to return to the illegal settlements in the northern part of the occupied territories, which were evacuated in light of retaliatory strikes by the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement against the regime’s military positions.

Settlers at the Metula settlement have filed a petition with Israel's so-called Supreme Court, requesting a conditional order and hearing to discuss an appeal for the settlement’s exclusion from the return protocol that is set to begin in early March, according to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper. 

The Metula settlement council head, David Azoulay, argued that the Israeli cabinet’s refusal to exempt Metula residents from returning has resulted in a “completely unreasonable” outcome. 

It would force the settlers to leave their current accommodation, places of employment, and schools to return to an area where 70 percent of the buildings have been damaged or destroyed.

Azoulay also highlights a continued “security risk.”

The settlers of Metula have urged Supreme Court representatives to inspect the settlement and reevaluate the decision. 

Kraus said over 2,200 projectiles struck the settlement during the course of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which began in October 2023.

The council petition states that there is no protection due to a lack of proper shelter or fortified rooms. 

Hospitals are closed, and schools are unfit to accommodate students, it added. 

“For this reason, it was stated that the current situation in Metula does not allow for commercial activities, tourism (as all hotels and dozens of guest houses were damaged), agriculture, community life, welfare, health services, and more,” Kraus added.

A settler from the Misgav Am settlement, which was also heavily targeted by Lebanese resistance fighters, told the Ynet news site, “I'm not feeling safe. Most people are not feeling safe because nobody knows what will happen. Now, the army has left Lebanon. So, people, I think, will wait to see what happens at the border.”

“You can see on the other side, all the Lebanese are coming home. We're not coming home yet,” he added. 

After experiencing substantial losses during almost 14 months of hostilities and not accomplishing its objectives in its offensive against Lebanon, Israel had no choice but to accept a ceasefire with Hezbollah. The truce came into effect on November 27.

Since the start of the agreement though, the occupation forces have been conducting near-daily attacks on Lebanon in violation of the ceasefire, including airstrikes across the Arab nation.

On January 10, Lebanon lodged a formal complaint with the UN Security Council regarding Israeli acts of aggression targeting agricultural lands and livestock in the southern region of the country, in violation of the truce agreement. 

Hezbollah has placed the responsibility on the Lebanese government to guarantee the complete withdrawal of Israeli military forces from southern Lebanon.

On January 27, Lebanon announced its agreement to extend the ceasefire with Israel until February 18.

However, Israel now maintains its occupation of five strategic locations in southern Lebanon, namely Labbouneh, Mount Blat, Owayda Hill, Aaziyyeh, and Hammamis Hill, near the border beyond the February 18 deadline.

Lebanon has rejected the continued presence of Israeli troops, a violation of the ceasefire and the withdrawal deadline. Senior authorities in Beirut say they will “adopt all means” to force the occupation forces out of the Arab country.