Current:Home > NewsIsrael is preparing for a new front in the north: Reporter's notebook-InfoLens
Israel is preparing for a new front in the north: Reporter's notebook
View Date:2024-12-23 11:18:24
SHTULA, ISRAEL -- Ora Hatan is gesturing out from her balcony toward the Lebanese border, where the Iranian-backed militant group is launching anti-tank missiles toward Israeli communities.
"Behind that wall is Hezbollah," she says over the constant sound of explosions.
There are intense exchanges of fire here every day. My conversation with Hatan is frequently interrupted by the thuds of outgoing and incoming fire.
This is happening as Israel escalates its offensive in Gaza following the Oct. 7 terrorist attack, with Hezbollah increasing its attacks on Israeli targets.
“We need to wipe out Hezbollah; we can’t live like this," she says, hugging her 10-year-old son, Ya’ir.
As we drive along the winding roads of Northern Israel’s roughly 80-mile border with Lebanon, we see empty house after empty house. These northern border communities are now ghost towns. Thousands of people fled in fear. Government officials have warned that the fighting may intensify, especially if the Israel Defense Forces launch a ground invasion into Gaza.
Hatan is one of the only residents left in her moshav of Shtula. Bikes and strollers are left in her neighbors’ driveways. People here left in a hurry. Just a few yards down the road from Hatan, we see a charred-out van, debris strewn across the road, a denim shirt and a pair of boots. A local farmer was killed, according to reservists we spoke to in the area. This is one of several daily border attacks.
We make our way further west to Shlomi, where the zig-zagging border war is blanketed in thick smoke, and you can just make out the glowing embers of a few smoldering fires. Moments ago, Israel took out several Hezbollah insurgency cells, according to the IDF.
MORE: US Navy destroyer in Red Sea shoots down cruise missiles potentially headed toward Israel: Pentagon
The Israel Defense Forces says it's ready for battle. Makeshift military camps are being set up everywhere. We visited one, newly converted from a go-karting track, the arena still sign-posted, although piles of red and white tires now sit between rows of tanks.
"We have reinforced the border," Lt. Col Dotan Razili tells me. "We have the best equipment; we have the best soldiers, especially our reservists. We taught them, we trained them and we are ready."
He went on, "We have also reinforced our regular army with the reserve units that we planned ahead. Our hope is that we’re not going to need them, but we are preparing them."
MORE: Family of American hostages freed by Hamas speaks out: 'It is not the end'
After spending more than a week in Northern Israel, we also get a strong sense the IDF is sealing up the north. Everything is roadblocked and fortified, and there's little access to move around. Even the military is restricted. IDF camps and residential communities are unusually hesitant to let us in.
Back on Hatan’s balcony, where the rocket fire is growing more intense, I ask her son, "Aren’t you scared?"
"No. I have my mother to protect me," he says.
Hatan turns to him, gripping him a little tighter, and says, "But I don’t have guns; I can’t protect you, only with good words, with love."
veryGood! (87334)
Related
- Nearly 80,000 pounds of Costco butter recalled for missing 'Contains Milk statement': FDA
- Why the Menendez Brothers Murder Trial Was Such a Media Circus in Its Day—or Any Day
- Fire devastated this NYC Chinatown bookshop — community has rushed to its aid
- Texas abortion bans lifted temporarily for medical emergencies, judge rules
- Garth Brooks wants to move his sexual assault case to federal court. How that could help the singer.
- Why one of the judge's warnings to Trump stood out, KY's kindness capital: 5 Things podcast
- Rita Ora and Taika Waititi Share Glimpse Inside Their Wedding on First Anniversary
- Couple who held impromptu reception after wedding venue caught fire return for anniversary trip
- ‘COP Fatigue’: Experts Warn That Size and Spectacle of Global Climate Summit Is Hindering Progress
- Mark Zuckerberg Reveals He Eats 4,000 Calories Per Day
Ranking
- Target will be closed on Thanksgiving: Here’s when stores open on Black Friday
- Earthquake in eastern China knocks down houses and injures at least 21, but no deaths reported
- NYC officials announce hate crime charge in stabbing death of gay dancer O'Shae Sibley
- Beyoncé, Spike Lee pay tribute to O'Shae Sibley, stabbed while dancing: 'Rest in power'
- Medical King recalls 222,000 adult bed assistance rails after one reported death
- 'It's really inspiring': Simone Biles is back, two years after Olympic withdrawal
- The FDA approves the first pill specifically intended to treat postpartum depression
- Russia’s war with Ukraine has generated its own fog, and mis- and disinformation are everywhere
Recommendation
-
'I was in total shock': Woman wins $1 million after forgetting lotto ticket in her purse
-
Kentucky candidates trade barbs at Fancy Farm picnic, the state’s premier political event
-
Mega Millions jackpot winners can collect anonymously in certain states. Here's where.
-
You Won't Believe Which Celebrities Used to Be Roommates
-
The Latin Grammys are almost here for a 25th anniversary celebration
-
Heat and wildfires put southern Europe’s vital tourism earnings at risk
-
Anthropologie Just Added Thousands of New Items to the Sale Section, Here’s What I’m Adding to My Cart
-
Evers vetoes GOP proposals on unemployment and gas engines but signs bills on crime