The Israeli National Emergency Authority, in conjunction with the Ministry of Defense and the IDF, made an announcement on Friday morning regarding the activation of a plan aimed at evacuating the residents of Kiryat Shmona to state-funded guest houses. This significant decision follows a recent escalation of security concerns in the area.
Approval for the operation of this program was granted by the Minister of Defense, Yoav Galant, indicating the seriousness of the situation. The Northern Command communicated the decision to the mayor of Kiryat Shmona, underscoring the urgency of the matter. The management of this operation will be a collaborative effort involving the local authority, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of Defense.
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The backdrop for this evacuation plan is a series of troubling events. Just yesterday, over 40 anti-tank missiles and rockets were launched from Lebanon into Israeli territory. Responsibility for these attacks has been claimed by both Hezbollah and Hamas. In a separate incident earlier today, a remotely operated aircraft targeted a terrorist individual within Lebanese territory. Furthermore, the IDF conducted retaliatory strikes against several military installations belonging to Hezbollah, in response to the missile launches into Israel.
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ā Nati Langermann (@NatiLang32) October 18, 2023
Simultaneously, sirens rang out across much of the Galilee region, including Nahariya, Shlomi in the Western Galilee, and Kiryat Shmona and its vicinity. Tragically, a house in Kiryat Shmona took a direct hit, though fortunately, there were no reported injuries. The IDF spokesperson indicated that approximately 20 launches from Lebanese territory into Israel were identified, prompting the IDF to respond with artillery fire directed at the sources of these attacks.
The previous night, the IDF had already initiated actions against military targets associated with the terrorist organization Hezbollah in the border area with Lebanon. One of these targets included an observation post overlooking the sea, which had been involved in launching anti-tank fire towards Rosh Hanikra on the preceding Wednesday. These military actions were taken in direct response to the shootings targeting Israel over the past day.
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The ongoing war in Israel and the frequent clashes between IDF forces and Hezbollah along the northern border are raising concerns on an international scale. Many countries around the world are advising their citizens to avoid staying in or visiting Lebanon due to escalating tensions and the potential for further hostilities. Notable nations, including the United States, France, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia, have all issued warnings for their citizens regarding travel to Lebanon, with the U.S. State Department elevating its travel advisory for Lebanon to the highest level in light of the situation.
