Ariane Ménage, correspondent in Israel // Credits: AMIR LEVY / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP
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11:34 a.m., January 5, 2024
Three days after the death in Beirut of Hamas number two in a strike attributed to Israel, fears of an escalation in the Middle East are more than present. For the second time in less than a week, the leader of Hezbollah is due to speak this Friday. For residents of northern Israel, this is a time for concern. Europe 1 went to the site.
The fear of a spread of the conflict. Three days after the death of Hamas number two in a strike attributed to Israel in Beirut, the fear of an escalation is on everyone’s minds. For the second time in less than a week, the leader of Hezbollah is due to speak this Friday. During his first speech, he directly threatened Israel. Threats that worry residents of the north of the Jewish state.
“We are in the village of Shomera, a km and a half from the Lebanese border,” explains Idan, a resident of the small town, to Europe 1. Like around twenty other men, Idan is one of the only ones to have remained in the village. He is now responsible for protecting the community in the event of an attack. All day long, he keeps his eyes fixed on the border. “It’s already a combat zone here. Hezbollah is firing anti-tank missiles at a frightening rate. Given the current situation, no resident will return,” he says.
Waiting for decisive action
Since the start of the war, the Israeli army has greatly increased its deployment in the region. Insufficient maneuvers for the inhabitants of northern Israel who are awaiting decisive action against Hezbollah. “We want a military operation, we do not believe in an agreement with Hezbollah. We will not be next on the list,” says Idan. Armed action to allow the families of Idan and the men still there to return to live in the border villages. In total, Israel has 80,000 displaced people from the north of the country.