In northern Israel, locals doubt an agreement can end the war with Hezbollah

Key Points:

• Metula, Israel’s northernmost town near the Lebanon border, remains largely deserted due to ongoing conflict, with residents skeptical of repeated ceasefire announcements amid frequent cross-border fire and damage to over 60% of homes.
• Hezbollah’s rocket attacks since October 2023 have intensified the conflict, leading to significant casualties and displacement on both sides, despite multiple US-brokered ceasefires that have largely failed to hold.
• Israeli and Lebanese officials are engaged in talks in Washington to end the war, but Hezbollah is excluded and dismisses the negotiations, while Israel maintains a buffer zone in southern Lebanon to prevent infiltration.
• Local residents express frustration with political leaders and fear that any troop withdrawal could lead to renewed attacks similar to those experienced during the Hamas conflict in southern Israel.
• The ongoing violence underscores the entrenched nature of the conflict, with little optimism for peace among those living in border communities like Metula, who feel overlooked by broader geopolitical decisions.