Title: Border tensions between Lebanese Hezbollah and Israel fuel fears of a second front
Introduction :
Recent exchanges of fire between Lebanese Hezbollah and the Israeli army on the border have revived fears of widespread conflict. In this article, we bring you a report produced by our special correspondents, Mélina Huet, Andrew Hilliar and Guy Shova, who went to Kiryat Shmona, an Israeli town located a few kilometers from the border. Despite the absence of mandatory evacuations at the moment, tension is palpable and residents live in constant fear of an escalation of violence.
The climate of fear in Kiryat Shmona:
Kiryat Shmona, a small Israeli town near the Lebanese border, is used to living in a climate of insecurity. The recent escalations in tensions between Hezbollah and Israel only accentuate this latent concern. The town, which normally has a population of 24,000, now gives the impression of a ghost town, despite the absence of mandatory evacuations so far.
Residents, aware of the repeated attacks their city has suffered in the past, have developed increased vigilance. Kiryat Shmona Mayor Avichai Stern explains that as soon as tensions rise in the region, residents take precautions and flee to safer places. They only have ten seconds to run to safety when the siren sounds, reflecting the terrifying reality they live in every day.
Reservists mobilized urgently:
Faced with the growing threat, the Israeli army has mobilized hundreds of reservists among the 300,000 called to join its ranks. Cars hastily parked on the road leading to Kiryat Shmona bear witness to this urgent mobilization. Residents are aware of the challenges facing their security and hope that the reinforced presence of the army will protect them against possible attacks.
A common history of conflict:
Kiryat Shmona has experienced numerous bombings over the years, notably during the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. This tragic history and these repeated attacks have deeply affected the city and its inhabitants. They live in a zone of permanent tension, where peace and security are never guaranteed.
Conclusion :
Exchanges of fire between Lebanese Hezbollah and the Israeli army on the border are causing growing concern about an escalation of violence. In Kiryat Shmona, an Israeli town located a few kilometers from the border, residents live in constant fear of an imminent attack. The mobilization of reservists by the Israeli army demonstrates the desire to protect the population in the face of this growing threat. In a context marked by decades of conflict, stability and peace remain distant goals for the residents of Kiryat Shmona.