Jerusalem
The Israeli Defence Ministry has issued a compelling directive on Friday, mandating the evacuation of Kiryat Shmona, a town situated in the northern region near the Lebanon border. With a population of approximately 23,000 residents, the evacuation comes as a crucial precautionary measure in response to the escalating conflicts and the recent surge in rocket attacks in the area.
According to Ministry spokesperson Mayan Lazarovich, the evacuation is compulsory, and the residents will be relocated to state-subsidized guesthouses. The coordination of this evacuation effort will be led jointly by the local municipality and the Ministries of Tourism and Defence.
The order, sanctioned by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, was transmitted to the town’s mayor recently, as confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in a statement. Earlier this week, the IDF had initiated an emergency evacuation plan for civilians residing within a 2-kilometer radius from the Lebanese border, providing temporary housing in state-funded guesthouses. Although Kiryat Shmona was initially excluded from the evacuation plan, it has now been brought under the scope of the precautionary measures owing to its proximity to the recent escalation of hostilities.
The town has experienced a series of rocket attacks amid the ongoing clashes between armed elements from the Lebanese Hezbollah group and the Israeli military. As tensions continue to mount, the evacuation order reflects the urgent need to ensure the safety and security of the residents in the face of the prevailing volatile situation.
