70% of Israelis considering not returning to the north

Israeli media has reported that 70 per cent of Israelis living in the area near the border with Lebanon are considering not returning to their homes, according to a survey. While 60 per cent say their living conditions have worsened.

Twenty per cent of Israelis who lived in that area are currently unemployed, while 68 per cent have not received any government assistance for their businesses, the reports added. As a result, 35 per cent believe the government has handled their situation badly.

According to Israeli media, businesses in Haifa experienced a 90 per cent drop in income during October 2024. One shop owner was cited as saying: “People are not coming out onto the streets, and the situation in Haifa is worrying and far from simple.”

Giora Zaltz, the chairman of the Upper Galilee Regional Council, said Hezbollah’s operations in the north are intensifying, becoming more lethal and powerful with each passing day. As a result, the level of security in the northern regions has decreased, leading to a deterioration of the situation in these areas.

Approximately 100,000 Israelis have been evacuated from northern Israel.

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