In north, war-battered Metula at a crossroads

Following the retreat of IDF forces from Lebanon at the end of November 2024, Metula — previously a peaceful and vibrant town — is facing one of the most serious crises in its history. 

Before hostilities between the IDF and Hezbollah escalated shortly after Oct. 7, 2023, the town was home to about 2,000 residents. They were all evacuated after the opening of the northern front in Operation Swords of Iron. Metula suffered many missile attacks and became one of the northern communities hardest hit by Hezbollah attacks.

According to the Defense Ministry, Metula was targeted by more than 2,200 rockets and missiles — more than one for every resident — which caused widespread destruction. More than 70% of the houses in the town were damaged. 

About 120 homes were destroyed, requiring significant rehabilitation, perhaps even demolition and reconstruction, and many others are uninhabitable due to water damage, mold and pests that spread during the many months of evacuation.

According to the town council, the situation of public buildings is no less dire. The local elementary schools, kindergartens, daycare centers, and community centers have been severely damaged. The Education Ministry has determined that educational institutions will not operate during the current school year, a reality that prevents families with children from returning. 

The local health system has also been harmed. A health insurance clinic has suffered significant damage, the emergency clinic is out of action, and the Magen David Adom building in town has been badly damaged. In addition, the electricity, water and road infrastructures have been extensively weakened, making it difficult to return to normal life.

After almost a year and a half of war and evacuation, there is a real fear of Metula’s demographic collapse due to a combination of physical damage, residents leaving, and uncertainty about the future of the area. 

According to surveys, about 70% of those evacuated from the north, including from Metula, have not yet returned to their homes, and recent surveys show that about 20% of the residents who evacuated are not planning to return at all. 

Many, mainly young families, have found a new home in central Israel. According to an internal survey, about half of the young families who have left Metula do not plan to return.

Metula’s origins

Israel’s northernmost town, Metula was founded in 1896 by the pioneers of the First Aliyah, who came to the area to expand the northern borders of Jewish settlement. The name “Metula” is derived from an earlier Druze settlement, al-Mutala, which means “overlooking the surroundings.” 

Metula stands on a hill 580 meters (about 360 miles) above sea level, overlooking the Hula Valley and Mount Hermon. But at the same time it is surrounded on three sides by Lebanese territory. Settlement in the area began when Baron Edmond de Rothschild purchased the land from a resident of Sidon. When it was founded in 1896, the community was established as a bold pioneering venture in the heart of a remote area devoid of nearby urban support.

This is not the first time that Metula has been at a crossroads. Historically, Metula has played a decisive role in determining the security of Israel’s northern border. According to historians, the early Jewish presence in Metula greatly influenced the final route of the border between Israel and Lebanon.

The Jewish Home

One of Metula’s drawing cards in recent years has been the so-called Bayit Hayehudi (The Jewish Home), a venue run by Tali and Raphael Singer that seeks to strengthen the spiritual base of the community. 

“Before the war, there were weekly Torah study sessions at the house,” says Tali. “Workshops on topics such as relationships, education and personal empowerment, song and event evenings that created a lively and vibrant community.” 

Today the Singers, along with another family, the Vangrovers, have taken upon themselves the task of attracting new young religious couples to bolster the struggling town.  

“There is a real crisis here,” Shira Vangrover admits. “Metula is surrounded by a 280-degree border. We are constantly watching Lebanon and are watched by the Lebanese, so we must flourish. It is unacceptable that Lebanese return to their villages in southern Lebanon while we sit on the fence and debate whether to build or not.”

Still, Vangrover adds, she doesn’t fear for Metula “for a moment.” The town has gone through many difficult times in the past and managed to bounce back, she says. 

“There are people here who are connected to this land with every fiber of their being and they will overcome any challenge, so it is clear to me that it will again thrive,” she concludes. “It might take a year, two years or 10, but it will happen. Metula must flourish and it needs more young families to be partners in this.”