Northern Israeli Residents Grapple with Ceasefire’s Fragile Promise
In Kibbutz Menara, perched on Israel’s northern border, the first day of a ceasefire with Hezbollah brought a tense calm, punctuated by the sound of gunfire. Across the border, in the Lebanese village of Meiss el-Jabal, life remains on hold as Lebanese residents have yet to return, and the area awaits control transfer from Israeli troops to the Lebanese army.
The Israeli military reported firing warning shots rather than engaging in battles, deterring individuals near the border. Four suspects were arrested in the process, underscoring the unease that persists despite the ceasefire.
A Homecoming Marked by Devastation
For Meitel and her 13-year-old daughter, Gefen, the ceasefire offered an opportunity to revisit their home in Menara after over a year away. The kibbutz, abandoned since October 2023 when Hezbollah launched rockets following Hamas’s attack in the south, bore the scars of relentless conflict.
“This feels like a nightmare come to life,” said Meitel, standing amidst the rubble of her community. Buildings riddled with shrapnel, collapsed roofs, and destroyed infrastructure painted a grim picture of their once-thriving home.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had assured northern Israelis that the intense military campaign had dealt Hezbollah a crippling blow, leaving its arsenal and border infrastructure in ruins. Yet, as gunfire echoed in Menara, Meitel expressed doubts about the ceasefire’s durability. “They’ll try to return,” she said of Hezbollah forces. “We need to ensure they don’t.”
A Kibbutz Transformed
Three-quarters of Menara’s structures were destroyed over 14 months of fighting. Anti-tank missiles and heavy artillery left homes unsafe, while critical utilities like electricity and sewage were obliterated. The kibbutz’s communal kitchen, once a hub of activity, lay in ruins—a direct hit collapsing its roof into a heap of metal and concrete.
Through the shattered windows of Israeli homes, the destruction in neighboring Lebanese villages like Meiss el-Jabal mirrored the devastation.
A Stubborn Holdout Amid Doubt
For Orna, a long-time resident of Menara, the prospect of returning families seemed slim. Standing by a battered window frame with an Israeli flag propped nearby, Orna reflected on the community’s grim future.
“I’ve lived through two wars here, but this time feels different,” she said. “Our forces are committed to keeping these areas secure, but you can hear it—every attempt to return is met with gunfire. It’s impossible for families to come back.”
Despite her doubts, Orna vowed to stay. “I’m stubborn and maybe a little crazy, but this is my home.”
Rebuilding Homes and Hope
The ceasefire has sparked initial conversations about rebuilding Menara. While repairing the physical damage will take months, restoring a sense of safety may take far longer. For residents like Meitel and Orna, the ruins serve as a stark reminder of the threat Hezbollah poses—a challenge not just to their homes but to their very way of life.
