Northern Israel Under Fire: Residents React to Hezbollah's Escalation

Residents in northern Israel are divided in their reaction to the intensified conflict with Hezbollah. While some hope for an end to the threat, others express resignation to the constant danger. With hundreds of rockets and missiles fired, the conflict has left areas near the border almost deserted, and authorities warn of more difficult days ahead.

In northern Israel, communities find themselves in Hezbollah's crosshairs as Israel strikes deeper into Lebanon. The ongoing violence has left residents divided, with some hopeful that the threat may finally be neutralized and others resigned to their fate.

Barak Raz, a resident of the beachside city Nahariya, noted, "There's a feeling of, finally, we're taking action to restore peace, which has not been the case for almost a year." Meanwhile, Albina Chemodakov, a 22-year-old sales assistant, expressed her fear: "It's very scary to live like that, but we live in Israel. It's our life."

Over the past week, Hezbollah has launched hundreds of rockets into northern Israel and the Golan Heights, prompting Israeli jets to target more than 1,600 sites in south Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. Amidst this turmoil, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting pressure to bring evacuated residents back home, while civil defense orders have kept once-busy areas deserted.

As fighting in Gaza slows, the focus shifts to the north, where the conflict has resulted in evacuation and damage on both sides. Despite warnings of difficult days ahead from Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, operations at Haifa's port continue and emergency plans are in place. Schools are closed, and air raid sirens remain a constant presence, further stressing residents.

(With inputs from agencies.)