Following Israel’s attack that resulted in over 300 fatalities in Lebanon, the atmosphere in Kibbutz Cabri, located a mere five miles from the border, was shattered on a tranquil Thursday evening. As the Guardian attempted to depart, air raid sirens blared three times and Iron Dome interceptors were activated on two occasions. When a rocket launched by Hezbollah came alarmingly close, the Moria family, along with their guests, quickly retreated to a fortified safe room, sealing the heavy metal door behind them. Their family dog was also present, aware of the routine.
Earlier in the day, Yael Shavit, a resident of Cabri, mentioned that the official response time had been adjusted to “30 seconds” due to the supposed ceasefire, up from an immediate response prior. However, Orly Moria expressed skepticism, stating, “I don’t think it’s 30 seconds,” indicating that, in practical terms, the window for reacting to attacks from Lebanon remained nearly nonexistent.
There was a glimmer of hope that the rocket fire from Hezbollah might cease following the announcement of an Iranian ceasefire. “This is the first day it is relatively quiet, but still everybody is waiting to see,” remarked Amir Yarchi, another kibbutz resident, shortly before the sirens sounded again. Even then, he acknowledged the situation was tenuous. When asked if the border was calmer, he replied, “Ask us next week.”
As night fell a few hours later, it became evident that hostilities had resumed on both sides of the border, if they had stopped at all. Sirens echoed across northern Israel once more.
Fortunately, the immediate threat in Cabri dissipated rapidly. The close proximity to the border means that air raid alerts are brief. Within five minutes, the family was able to exit the shelter, with no casualties or damage reported.
The conflict has seen Hezbollah launch rocket and drone strikes into Israel since March 2, following U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran. Reports indicate that over 1,164 rockets have been fired into Israel, averaging about 30 per day, according to the Alma Center think tank.
While civilian casualties in northern Israel from these attacks have been relatively low, there have been tragic incidents. Nuriel Dubin, aged 27, lost his life in a rocket strike on March 24, and four individuals died in Haifa earlier this month due to an Iranian ballistic missile hitting an apartment building. The death toll in Lebanon since early March has surpassed 1,700.
The urgent need to seek shelter underscores the persistent disruption caused by the war for residents in northern Israel. Individuals in Cabri articulate that every decision—whether to leave home, tend to fields, or walk a dog—constitutes a form of “risk management.” In open areas without shelter, individuals are advised to lie flat until the threat subsides.
Moshe Davidovich, the head of the local Mate Asher Regional Council, expressed a stark viewpoint, asserting that he supports Israel’s ongoing military actions in Lebanon. He stressed that it is unacceptable for Hezbollah, which he labels as a “terrorist organization” for the past 40 years, to strike at will, whether independently or as a proxy for Iran. Polls conducted by Channel 12 indicate that 79% of Israelis are in favor of continued military operations in Lebanon.
This raises critical questions regarding the possibility of halting the cycle of violence while a significant portion of the population advocates for continued airstrikes. Davidovich called for increased international involvement, urging support for the Lebanese government from the U.S., U.K., and France to act as a “big brother” in Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah from re-emerging as a threat.
Under pressure from Donald Trump to temper its offensive against Hezbollah following the recent mass strikes, Israel has shown a readiness to engage in dialogue with the Lebanese government. However, substantial political commitment from other nations would be necessary for deeper involvement, and Israel has already dismissed the notion of France serving as a mediator.
In Cabri, Yarchi contended that a purely military solution is impractical. “We might find ourselves in an endless war where soldiers are targeted daily,” he remarked. He expressed a desire for a change in leadership, hoping that Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, currently trailing in polls, would be ousted in the upcoming autumn elections after initiating a series of conflicts since the Hamas attack on October 7, while failing to secure Israel’s regional safety.
Gali Moria, who now manages the kibbutz’s business operations and previously served as an Israeli soldier during the 1982 invasion of Lebanon—which led to a traumatic and ultimately unsuccessful 18-year occupation—advocated for a reduction in military engagements. He believes Israeli forces should remain in Lebanon “for the shortest time possible,” arguing that a prolonged presence would endanger soldiers and adversely affect the Lebanese population. Despite this, he holds a cautiously optimistic view, which is not widely shared among kibbutz residents.
“I hope the weakening of Iran and its backing of Hezbollah might create dynamics that reduce Hezbollah’s motivation to attack Israel. I think it’s possible; it’s the best-case scenario we can hope for,” he concluded.
