Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Monday that the government decided northern residents will not be evacuated from their homes during Operation Roaring Lion, amid escalating tensions with Hezbollah on the Lebanese border.
Smotrich's remarks came after Hezbollah launched a rocket attack on Israel overnight, joining in the ongoing conflict with Iran.
"Hezbollah made a mistake and will pay a heavy price for it. We have decided not to evacuate northern residents,” Smotrich said.
“The IDF is protecting you on the front line deep inside Lebanese territory.”
“We made a decision in the cabinet overnight that this time we are not evacuating anyone," he said.
"The IDF will continue to strike Hezbollah with great force and provide you with security,” Smotrich added.
Northern communities still not fully recovered
Communities along Israel’s northern border were severely affected in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre and throughout the ensuing war.
Hundreds of thousands of residents were forced to evacuate their homes during Israel’s last conflict with Hezbollah as the area came under continuous rocket fire. The area has still not recovered from the damage it sustained.
Last month, the government approved a multi-year plan to rehabilitate northern communities along the Lebanon border, including Kiryat Shmona, Shlomi, and Metula, which were heavily impacted by the war.