Reporter's Notebook: Tourists visit northern Israel as sense of normalcy returns to kibbutzim
In 2024 this area was a warzone. Most of the residents had been evacuated, including the entire city of Kiryat Shmona. Today, it’s hard to remember now how forsaken this place was during the war.
The road between Kibbutz Dan and Kibbutz HaGoshrim is dotted with cement blocks, resembling Lego structures, which are now used as gathering places for children. These fortifications were added or improved in the region after October 7, when there was fear of a mass Hezbollah attack. Today, the area at the northern end of the Huleh valley forms a large basin surrounded by hills and mountains.
On one side, the ridgeline over Kiryat Shmona, and on the other side, the base of Mount Hermon, which is shrouded in clouds. Israel now controls Mount Hermon, which was captured on December 8, 2024, when the Assad regime collapsed.
In 2024, this area was a warzone, with most residents evacuated. The city of Kiryat Shmona was abandoned, and Hezbollah missiles and drones frequently fell in the valley. However, after a ceasefire in November 2024, residents returned to northern Israel. The feeling of normalcy is palpable, with visitors flocking to the kibbutzim during Sukkot.
Kibbutz Dafna, for example, has around 1,000 residents and is surrounded by attractions such as a museum devoted to chocolate, a hotel chain, and a pool. The community is simple, with friendly people and a sense of returning to normalcy.
Despite the return to normalcy, threats remain. On September 29, the Syrian government detained a terror cell in the Yarmouk Basin, between the Golan and Jordan. Israel has also been detaining Syrian civilians, raising concerns about the consequences of its actions in Syria. However, for the masses of visitors who have returned to the north, the area feels like an area of hiking and sport, with a sense of peace and renewed normalcy.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
