In Israel’s northern hills, all eyes turn to Lebanon

From the vantage point of Safed, nestled in Israel’s northern highlands, the view stretches expansively southward over citrus groves to the Sea of Galilee on clear days. Yet, recent attention has shifted northward towards the craggy landscape bordering Lebanon.

A recent escalation saw a rocket strike from Lebanon claim the life of an Israeli soldier in Safed. Israel’s consequent airstrikes in Lebanon resulted in at least 15 fatalities, including 10 civilians, marking a significant spike in civilian casualties since the onset of cross-border tensions with Hezbollah in October. This incident has heightened concerns over a potential expansion of the conflict.

Despite the ominous military activities, life in Safed’s historic Artists’ Colony, within the old Arab quarter, attempted to resume normalcy under the shadow of Israeli jet patrols obscured by dense clouds.

The city’s residents, accustomed to the persistent threat of conflict, expressed a mix of resignation and apprehension. Arie Buznah, a 66-year-old tour guide in Safed, known for its elevation and dubbed the “City of Air,” remarked on the constant state of alert required in Israel due to ongoing security concerns.

The recent attacks underscored for Buznah the escalating nature of the conflict. Abbi Shachar, a gallery owner and New York transplant, recounted the anxiety of seeking shelter with her children during the rocket alarm, holding out hope for peace despite the looming threat of war.

Safed’s geographical and strategic context, distanced from the Gaza Strip but impacted by the alliances between Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, underscores the complex regional dynamics. The recent hostilities evoke personal histories of conflict and survival, including Buznah’s traumatic experience as a hostage in Maalot during a Palestinian militant attack in 1974.

The ongoing conflict, with a significant toll in Gaza and the specter of further military action in Lebanon, brings to the fore the urgency and complexity of addressing these enduring hostilities. Buznah advocates for decisive military action as a means to resolve the situation, reflecting a sentiment for resolution amidst the cycle of violence and retaliation, a perspective shaped by decades of conflict and the desire for a lasting peace.