Yulia Bar-Dan and her family fled their home on a kibbutz in northern Israel after fearing a possible Hezbollah assault following a Hamas attack in October. Six months later, she returned to gather what she could from her abandoned home, spending just an hour there to retrieve her belongings. The kibbutz, once home to nearly 300 people, looked like a war zone with explosions heard overhead. Bar-Dan gathered what she could in a large trash bag, including finding her cat alive, a moment that brought joy to her children.
Hezbollah’s involvement in the conflict has caused significant damage in northern Israel. Since Hezbollah joined the war in support of Hamas, over 7,500 rockets have been fired into Israel from Lebanon, resulting in casualties, evacuations, and widespread destruction. The toll on northern communities has been devastating, with fears that the conflict may escalate further. The decision to evacuate most northern communities after the October attack was made by residents themselves, who feared a potential invasion by Hezbollah’s Radwan forces.
Life on Kibbutz Manara near the Lebanese border has been challenging since October. Residents like Naor Shamia have been leading rapid response units to defend against terrorist infiltrations, rocket fire, and wildfires caused by missile impacts. Shamia highlights the vulnerability of the kibbutz, which is visible from Lebanon and often targeted by Hezbollah. The once thriving agriculture-based economy of the kibbutz, including a vineyard, orchards, and poultry farming, has been severely impacted by the ongoing attacks.
Yulia’s husband, Nadav, lost his aluminum business to a missile strike and has since joined the rapid response unit while his family lives in a cramped room away from the border. Despite the constant threat of attacks and living as if there were a war, Yulia and others refuse to leave their homes, viewing it as their duty to defend the border. The devastation caused by the war between Israel and Hezbollah has left northern Israel in ruins, with the world’s attention focused elsewhere as residents struggle to rebuild their lives.
The situation in northern Israel remains dire with ongoing missile fire, drone attacks, and the constant threat of invasion. The conflict has taken a toll on communities like Kibbutz Manara, with many structures damaged and the economy in ruins. Despite the challenges, residents like Yulia remain hopeful for government intervention to address the crisis in the north. As the war between Israel and Hezbollah continues to impact the region, there is a sense of resilience and determination among those who call northern Israel their home. The need for support and assistance to rebuild and protect these communities is crucial as they strive to recover from the devastation caused by the conflict.
