Northern Israeli town Kiryat Shmona reopens schools after 16 months of war with Hezbollah

The northern Israeli town Kiryat Shmona reopened its schools on Sunday after 16 months of war with the Iranian-backed Lebanese terrorist militia Hezbollah. The town, which has a population of over 20,000 people and is located close to the Lebanese border, was largely evacuated after Hezbollah launched an unprovoked massive attack on northern Israel on Oct. 8, 2023.

Many buildings including schools were damaged by incoming Hezbollah rockets. However, volunteers from all over Israel succeeded in largely repairing most of the town’s schools. 

Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch arrived at the town to cut the ceremonial ribbon to mark the reopened schools in the area. While the Israeli military has severely degraded Hezbollah’s military capabilities, the terror militia remains a potent force that continues to threaten northern Israeli communities. Many locals including Kiryat Shmona Mayor Avichai Stern remain skeptical. 

"Usually, ministers come only to cut ribbons for hard work. In this case, not only was there no hard work, but everything was done to interfere with us," Stern said criticizing Kisch. 

"In the end, he also invited himself. I want to hope that Minister Kisch will stop with the politics, and after he truly works for the students of Kiryat Shmona, I will be happy to invite him to cut the ribbons," he added.

The mayor consequently decided to not join the minister at the official reopening ceremony of the schools. 

Stern also assessed that the local school system is currently not able to effectively support the students and their families. 

Golan Buchris, chairman of the Kiryat Shmona municipal parents' committee, appears to share the mayor’s assessment concerning the local school system. 

"Dozens, if not hundreds of students remain without a framework," Buchris said after spending the past year and a half in the southern Israeli town of Eilat. 

"We suggested waiting until July. The mental state of the students is concerning. There are no psychologists or emotional therapists who can help them. We are in a constant shortage, and the Education Ministry has not addressed this," Buchris remarked. 

He also leveled strong criticism towards the education system’s senior officials including the education minister. 

"Minister Kisch is sidelining the municipality. There is no cooperation, everything is political, and we feel sorry for our children. Today is festive, but with a lot of sadness behind it. We see a failure of the system. I am embarrassed that my children are learning in an education system run by these people," Buchris said. 

Nevertheless, some 50% of the local students have returned to their respective schools. 

While there is bitterness against state officials, Simcha Edri, a teacher at Danziger School and volunteer coordinator in Kiryat Shmona, praised the volunteering spirit of the Israeli people. 

"The education system opened this morning thanks to the people of Israel who embraced us and helped hand in hand, making it clear that Kiryat Shmona is also our homeland," Edri said.

Kiryat Shoma did not only sustain material damage but also human casualties. In February 2024, an Israeli mother and her son were seriously injured in one of many Hezbollah missile attacks on the town. Many local Israelis still demand that the Israeli military completes the elimination of the Hezbollah threat, which still exists just across the border.