‘We must finish the job’: despite living on the frontline, northern Israelis try to maintain normality
‘We must finish the job’: despite living on the frontline, northern Israelis try to maintain normality
Metula’s Resilience Amid Conflict
On Thursday morning, the main thoroughfare of Metula buzzed with a shared sentiment: the previous night had been “difficult.” Military officials declared the sirens quiet after confirming no further waves of rocket and drone strikes were imminent, launched by Hezbollah and its ally Iran. Yet the peace felt tenuous, interrupted by the low rumble of warplanes overhead and the sharp detonations of missile interceptions. In the background, the steady thud of Israeli artillery echoed, a constant reminder of the ongoing threat.
“The people of Metula don’t run away from rockets,” said Miry Menashe, 41, co-owner of Bela cafe. “We want to keep a bit of sanity for the residents, our soldiers, and ourselves. They come a lot these days, so we want them to have a place to relax, have a beer, a coffee, or something to eat—it’s about keeping life going.”
Escalation and Strategic Timing
Hezbollah’s attack on Wednesday night and Thursday morning involved approximately 200 rockets and missiles, alongside 20 drones. This barrage was synchronized with Iran’s missile salvo, marking the first time the two forces coordinated their assault. While no casualties were reported from the strikes, the damage to infrastructure was significant. To date, 12 Israelis have been killed by Iranian missile attacks, with hundreds injured.
“Last night was tough. The last days have been the toughest. It was very bad,” recalled Shragan Shatil, 77, who has lived in Metula for 29 years. “There is usually a break afterwards… then in the evening it starts again. Now we are drinking coffee in the sun.”
Israeli Counteroffensive and Regional Impact
Israel’s response was immediate and aggressive. Warplanes began bombing Lebanon, targeting southern regions and Beirut’s suburbs. The operation, which claimed at least 634 lives and injured 1,586, started just hours after Hezbollah’s retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Over a million people have been displaced, and tensions suggest Israel may push further, potentially with a large-scale ground invasion.
Residents’ Call for Definitive Action
Yaakov Selavan, deputy mayor of the Golan regional council, noted that northern Israelis expect the government and military to “finish the job [with Hezbollah] once and for all.” He argued that the group should be pushed as far north as the Litani River, 20 miles into Lebanon. Many in the region share this sentiment, having endured relentless exchanges of fire, repeated Israeli strikes, and three direct confrontations with Iran.
Perceptions of Iran’s Role
For Daniel Dorfman, 43, the recent conflict has reinforced a belief that “we must finish the job.” Having reopened his restaurant in Metula just days before the war intensified, he described Iran as “the head of the octopus” and “the main cause of terrorism in the Middle East,” a view echoed by Israeli leaders. “Iran has said many times it wants to eliminate Israel and bomb us with nuclear weapons,” Dorfman stated. “Clearly, if someone wants to kill you, you have to stop them. Like an octopus, you have to kill the head.”
