Israel’s northernmost town Metula reopens school after years of Hezbollah attacks

Israel’s northernmost town of Metula reopened its Hanadiv Elementary School on Tuesday, marking another sign of recovery as residents gradually return to the community after three years of war with the Iranian-backed Lebanese terrorist militia Hezbollah.

Located adjacent to the Lebanese border, Metula came under extensive Hezbollah drone and rocket attacks during the conflict. In 2024, Metula Mayor David Azoulay reported that almost 50% of all Metula family homes had been damaged as a result of Hezbollah fire.

Now, however, there are signs of revival after Israel degraded much of Hezbollah’s military capabilities. Some 65% of Metula’s 2,100 residents have returned home after most of the town was evacuated following Hezbollah’s attacks.

The return of families and the reopening of the school are being viewed by residents as important steps toward rebuilding the community.

Metula native Shimon Gino, his wife Noa and their four children moved back to the town a month ago. He expressed cautious optimism about rebuilding their lives there.

“Moving back here won’t be easy, but kids can adjust, and they’re very excited,” Shimon told The Times of Israel. “We have to rebuild the community from scratch."

His wife Noa welcomed the family’s return to Metula but remains concerned about the future.

“Having grown up in Tel Aviv during the intifada, I’m not naive,” she said. “The situation could change, but I believe in being here… We can’t abandon the north or the Gaza border region because if we do, our enemies will move in."

The Gino family’s commitment to the community is shared by many residents of Metula and other northern Israeli border communities. Following Hezbollah’s renewed attacks on northern Israel in March, residents in Metula decided to stay with their families despite once again living on Israel’s combustible frontline with Hezbollah, which openly calls for Israel’s destruction.

Noleen Safadi, who heads Metula’s education department, resides in the Golan Heights Druze town of Majdal Shams, located about 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Metula.

Her now 14-year-old son Alan survived the Hezbollah 2024 rocket attack, which killed 12 Druze children at a soccer field in Majdal Shams. Safadi revealed that her son, who was seriously injured, has been forced to undergo 23 surgeries since the Hezbollah attack.

Yet she remains hopeful about the future.

“Since the attack, we’ve met so many good people,” Safadi recalled. “It’s very moving for me to take part in rebuilding Metula’s education system."

Metula Mayor Azoulay is also cautiously optimistic, revealing that he has been contacted by some Christian, Druze and Muslim Lebanese who said they were tired of war and wanted to live in peace with the Jewish state.

“They told me, ‘We’re sick of war, and we want something different,'” he recalled. “We want peace. Right now, I’m optimistic."

Metula is also attracting new residents, another indication that the community is beginning to rebuild.

“I fell in love with Metula when I came here a month ago, and moved here two days ago,” local resident Zipora Norel said. “The weather is beautiful. The vibe is open."

She praised the supportive local community.

“I’ve been wandering,” Norel said. “But since arriving in Metula, everyone wants to help me. I’m looking for part-time work, cooking or teaching, and I do art.”

Despite the ongoing security threats from Hezbollah, she expressed confidence in the Israeli military to protect the town’s residents.

“I count on our soldiers. I don’t have a gram of fear,” she concluded.

Erit Fine, a fifth-generation Metula resident, runs a family retreat center in the center of the town.

“Until the war ends, Israelis live as if there’s no war,” Fine said with characteristic Israeli embrace of life amid war. “People may be alert, they know what’s going on, but they’re living and celebrating life."

Fine welcomed the school's reopening.

“Hearing the sounds of children’s shouts and happiness shows that there’s life here again,” Fine said. “That is victory."