Nazareth, Israel – The ballroom of the Golden Crown Hotel reverberated with joy as its 30 attendees enjoyed their kindergarten class. This time, the class is held in Nazareth, a city 44 miles away from its original location in the village of Arab al-Aramshe, a village evacuated to prevent attack by Hezbollah militants along the Israeli-Lebanese border.
Dalal Badra, an inspector from Israel’s Education Ministry, involved in organizing these classes, mentioned the impact of the evacuations on the children, pointing out the emotional strain due to their parents’ stress and the sense of something wrong felt by the children.
The evacuation stems from an internal displacement of over 125,000 people, resulting from Hamas’ attack on Israeli civilians and soldiers along the Gaza Strip and the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, leading to fears of further attacks.
The scale and logistics involved in this operation have put a significant financial and resource strain on the Israeli state, with approximately 280 hotels providing accommodation and other necessities for the evacuees, while makeshift schools and medical clinics have been set up in various locations.
The Golden Crown Hotel, usually frequented by tourists, has become a hub for the evacuees, housing families from Arab al-Aramshe. The village’s community manager, Adeeb Mazal, has expressed his concerns about aid, accommodations, and their mental well-being, emphasizing that the situation is an emergency, not a vacation.
While being part of Israel’s minority Arab population, the residents expressed their fears of Hezbollah’s attacks, regardless of their nationality. Not far from Nazareth, hundreds of Israeli evacuees from towns and kibbutzim near the Lebanese border remained watchful and wary in the Caesar Premier Tiberias Hotel, wondering when they would be able to return to their homes.
Lea Raivitz, from the kibbutz Bar’am, revealed that the evacuees are trying to maintain a sense of normal life during this uncertain time but are grappling with concerns about the future and the potential impact of an extended stay away from their respective communities.
No plans are in place for the residents to return home, with fears lingering about a possible attack by Hezbollah. Israeli officials remain vigilant, as recent events have left few reassured, despite a relative calm in comparison to the situation in Gaza. The safety of these communities remains uncertain as they live amid the ongoing threats from Hezbollah.
