Residents of Northern Israel refuse to return for fear of Hezbollah

By Paul Shalala

Residents of towns in northern Israel which were bombed by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah are refusing to return despite a ceasefire that has been signed to cease hostilities.

This is because some of their houses have been reduced to rubble after Hezbollah bombed several border communities in northern Israel, leading to the ceasefire which was signed with the Israeli government two weeks ago.

One of those who have run away from a town called Kibbutz Menara, Orna Weinberg, says residents want security assurances from the Israeli government before they can return home.

Ms. Weinberg told ZNBC News in an interview in northern Israel that her house was hit by an anti-tank missile and it is now not habitable.

Another resident, Ido Shelem, says over 250 rockets were fired on his town in the first weeks of the war.

Mr. Shelem, who is also the Business Development Manager for the town, says Kibbutz Menara has a total population of 260 residents but less than 20 people have remained.

He says the town needs more security as it is less than 10 meters away from Lebanon, where Hezbollah has bases in border villages.