The ascent to Kibbutz Adamit in the Western Galilee is a journey through a land marked by conflict and resilience. The burned remains of Hezbollah observation towers litter the landscape as you pass through the checkpoint towards Adamit, high above, with Lebanon visible to the right. Once a lively community, Adamit now only sees 30 residents out of its original 350. The kibbutz had ambitions to expand by absorbing new families; however, the ongoing conflict has disrupted these plans.
Adi Amir, the chairman of the committee, expressed frustration over the stalled efforts to revitalize the kibbutz. He spoke of the emotional toll, mentioning the feeling of dread and fear that now permeates everyday life. Military presence is omnipresent, with signs warning of 'exposed areas.' Even Amir's children find the situation unbearable, reminiscent of a once peaceful life now overshadowed by uncertainty.
In the nearby settlement of Shlomi, the scene is equally haunting. Firefighting planes fly over torched forests as residents remember the recent rocket fires. A deceptive view hides the border wall that distinguishes Israel from Lebanon, reminding residents of the perilous proximity to conflict. Gabi Naaman, head of the council, is exasperated, noting that only 1,000 of Shlomi's 9,000 residents have dared to return. Approximately 300 houses have been damaged, and with ongoing security issues, the future remains uncertain.
Economic activity in these settlements has ground to a halt. The once bustling local businesses, including Shlomi's only falafel stand, are now closed. Residents like Hana Hazan yearn for normalcy, expressing a desperate desire to return and resume daily routines. For others, like Miki Tal, who recently vacated his new home, the threat is all too real and immediate. Missiles have caused significant damage, pushing residents to barricade themselves further or abandon their homes altogether.
Further north in Rosh Hankara, the kibbutz mirrors the plight of Adamit and Shlomi. Arnon Feldman, who stayed behind to care for farm animals and his seaweed farm, laments the transformation of his idyllic surroundings into a militarized zone. Just a handful of the original 1,400 residents remain, and even diving in the sea has become a coordinated effort with the Navy due to fears of Hezbollah exploitation.
The ongoing conflict has pushed residents to feel disconnected and neglected by official promises. Navot Nir, responsible for the kibbutz's water system, echoes a sentiment of despondency, feeling as though the community could soon become part of southern Lebanon. He, like many others, hungers for clear communication and assurances from authorities that remain elusive.
- Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions are high between Russia and NATO. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, has threatened NATO with nuclear strikes following Germany’s decision to allow Ukraine to use German-supplied weapons against Russian territory. This is part of escalating rhetoric from Russia, accusing NATO of direct participation in the conflict.
- Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed the importance of avoiding an all-out war between NATO and Russia. Despite these tensions, Germany, following the U.S., has decided to enable Ukraine to defend its sovereignty, permitting the use of weapons in border areas.
- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has called for new and predictable aid to Ukraine, suggesting an annual support package of at least 40 billion euros. This comes as part of continued efforts to help Ukraine fend off Russian aggression since the war began in February 2022. Promises of additional arms packages further spotlight NATO's commitment despite rising tensions.
