Metula
Metula is Israel's northernmost town, situated in the Upper Galilee on a ridge overlooking southern Lebanon. Historically a quiet agricultural community, its proximity to the border has made it a primary target for Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks, particularly during the escalated hostilities of 2024-2026.
Metula occupies a unique and precarious geographic position, surrounded on three sides by the Lebanese border. Founded in 1896, the town has long served as a symbol of Israeli persistence on the northern frontier. However, its strategic location on a finger of land jutting into Lebanon has rendered it highly vulnerable to cross-border fire. In recent years, and specifically throughout the conflict following October 2023, Metula has faced significant physical damage and near-total evacuation of its civilian population. The town sits near the strategic Litani bend and Wadi Bargaz, areas that have seen intense IDF activity aimed at neutralizing Hezbollah's tunnel infrastructure and launch sites.
Recent July 2026 reports indicate that despite various ceasefire frameworks, Metula remains under threat from hostile aircraft intrusions and explosive drone strikes. In mid-2026, the IDF exposed a massive, Iran-funded tunnel network beneath the nearby Beaufort Ridge, just six kilometers from the town. This complex included living quarters and a fully equipped operating room, designed to support long-term stays for operatives launching attacks against the Galilee. Local leadership, including council head David Azoulay, has been vocal in criticizing the government's response to ongoing ceasefire violations, noting that residents—including children—continue to flee to shelters as interceptions occur overhead. The security of Metula remains tied to the enforcement of a buffer zone in southern Lebanon, with Israeli officials emphasizing that the return of civilians is contingent on the removal of Hezbollah's tactical assets from the immediate border area.