Residents cautiously return to Kiryat Shmona amidst rocket fire
- Kiryat Shmona has been largely abandoned since the escalation of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which intensified in October 2023.
- Residents like Elad are cautiously returning to assess the damage and consider resettlement as a ceasefire temporarily holds.
- The long-term outlook for peace remains uncertain as the population grapples with the realities of living near an active conflict zone.
In Kiryat Shmona, a town in northern Israel located just a couple of kilometers from the Lebanese border, life has drastically changed due to continuous hostilities. Following the ceasefire on November 27, 2024, after 14 months of conflict with Hezbollah, residents who had deserted the area since an attack on October 8, 2023, are beginning to reconsider returning. Many residents had left, fleeing attacks that had become frequent and life-threatening due to rocket fire targeting their town, which is situated within range of Hezbollah's artillery. The community, which was home to around 25,000 before the exodus, has witnessed a stark reduction in its population and social activity, turning once lively streets into remnants of a war-torn zone. The situation has left families like Elad’s caught between hope and trepidation. He, a carpenter by trade, returned to survey the damage in the city center, noting that it had been eerily quiet. This was reflective not just of the war’s toll but also of the psychological state of many residents who had opted for displacement rather than risk their safety. Elad shared a sense of uncertainty; despite witnessing some improvements like working electricity and intact apartments that had been abandoned, he was skeptical about whether life would return to normal or if a lasting peace was achievable. As he navigated through Kiryat Shmona, echoes of distant machine-gun fire served as a poignant reminder that the cessation of violence was not a guarantee of safety. The history of conflict in this region has left many with long-standing fears rooted in previous encounters with violence, and every burst of gunfire seemed to reaffirm their doubts. Nevertheless, coming back to his grandparents' neighborhood sparked a flicker of optimism within Elad; it was, he hoped, a step toward rebuilding their lives or at least starting a process for those displaced to return With the ceasefire holding for now, Elad’s visit marks an important moment for the community, as it tries to gauge the security situation and determine whether it's too soon to resettle. Many residents are eager to see if conditions stabilize, allowing them to reclaim not just homes and possessions but also the essence of their community—a life once filled with bustling streets and friendly faces.