Israeli Official Refuses Return of Residents from Shelters, Closes Settlements in Northern Occupied Palestine

On Monday, the Israeli authorities decided to close a large group of northern settlements from six in the morning until further notice, for fear of a “possible war” with the Lebanese Hezbollah.

The mayor of the Israeli settlement of Kiryat Shmona, Avichai Stern, confirmed that he will block the highway with his body to prevent residents from returning if the threat posed by "Hezbollah" along the border is not dealt with.

In a radio interview, Avichai Stern explained, “If necessary, I will lie down on Route 90 and close the road and will not allow the residents to return to be sheep for the slaughter.

Stern added: "This reality must change, and if this does not happen, we will not be able to return."

Roads and towns near the Lebanese-Israeli border were closed to civilian traffic on Monday morning until further notice, due to escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.