Yedioth Ahronoth Hebrew newspaper published an article, written by Assi Chaim, indicating that Metula in the summer of 2025 looks like a ghost town.

“Roads are closed, businesses are shut down, homes are damaged or simply empty. Everything is frozen. No one really knows when or how life will return. The place that once symbolized border tourism, lush scenery, and northern optimism—now stands deserted, battered, and waiting for a miracle,” Yedioth Ahronoth said.

“Next to us is the ‘Alaska’ Hotel. ‘It was hit by three anti-tank shells because there are cameras on the roof.’ ‘Now they are renovating it. They’ve been working on it for four months. But tourists? There are none.’ The same goes for the other large hotels—Beit Shalom, the Travelers Hotel, and Selina—they are all closed. Some are waiting for compensation from the Property Department, and most are simply stuck. Even the Canada Center, which used to be the main entertainment hub for the north, is fenced off and closed. Renovation hasn’t even started yet, after it was damaged by a rocket.”

“We walk along Harishonim Street, the heart of Metula. Along the way, the security coordinator points to houses, restaurants, and hotels. Most of them are closed, some are abandoned. You used to come here on weekends, and everything was packed. Now? Nothing. Everything has come to a halt.”

Chaim quoted the security officer in Metula as explaining that in the areas where there was an Israeli army presence, homes were hit by gunfire and shells from Hezbollah. “But the enemy isn’t solely responsible for the destruction. Part of the damage here was caused by our own army—tank fire between the houses, troop movements. The tanks caused massive damage.”

Source: Al-Manar English Website