More than four months after the war ended, the Metula settlement remains eerily deserted. A passenger bus travels nine times a day without a single rider, symbolizing the ongoing abandonment.
Israeli Channel 12 reports that two-thirds of Metula’s houses—around 460 residences—were damaged by resistance missiles, with one-third set for total demolition.
The cost of reconstruction is estimated at $500 million, yet only one in ten residents has returned due to the extensive devastation.
Stagnant Reconstruction and Public Discontent
The report highlighted that repair efforts remain stalled in Israeli bureaucratic red tape, with growing public frustration over the government’s handling of the situation. The government faces accusations of neglect and inaction in supporting the northern residents.
“Tourists have returned to the north in large numbers for Passover, but most residents have not. Over a year and a half after the area was evacuated and four and a half months after the ceasefire, Mettula remains devastated and empty. Two-thirds of its homes are damaged, and warnings of security risks persist. The completion of alternative sites is delayed, and repairs to the border fence remain incomplete,” a Zionist Channel 12 anchor noted.
“In this reality, nine out of ten Mettula residents have no intention of returning,” the report concluded.
Local Leader Criticizes Government Response
David Azulay, the head of the Metula local council, directed his anger at the government, saying, “This is the worst government we’ve known in times of war. It disappeared during the battle and, unfortunately, disappeared again when we needed it most during the reconstruction phase.”
“A home not examined by a qualified engineer is considered lightly damaged and can be repaired in just 21 days—yet the reality is completely different,” he explained.
“To begin repairs, we need an engineering inspection, followed by a report submitted to the income tax department, and then approval, which can take four to five months. In the end, they tell us repairs take three weeks! It’s a joke. We’re receiving only 60 to 70% of the damage compensation, which is insufficient. We hope the government stops fighting us, as it hasn’t helped us at all,” Azulay added.
Frustration Mounts Over Bureaucracy
Other Metula residents also voiced their disappointment with the government’s handling of the situation. Anna Rubinstein, a Zionist resident of the settlement, said, “The delay in repairing our home is due to bureaucracy. The damage assessor came on December 9, and since then, we’ve had to hire an engineer multiple times and conduct laboratory tests to determine whether we’ll have to demolish the roof. We still don’t have any answers.”
“I’m a fourth-generation resident here. The government has humiliated us. Before the war, a cell infiltrated from the Shebaa Farms, and it was not neutralized. It was forced to flee, and the fence was torn apart every few days without any action. Officials don’t want to give up their seats, and the state is bankrupt. We have no place in it. Who built this state? Was it the right-wing ministers or those who worked with their hands? They’re stealing everything,” Zionist Metula resident Moshe Feinstein expressed his outrage.
Ongoing Security Concerns Delay Return
Metula residents confirmed that security threats at the border remain a major concern, contributing to their hesitation in returning. Despite the ceasefire being in effect for months, they stressed that stability has yet to be restored, leaving them uncertain about their future in the settlement.
Source: Al-Manar Website
