Northern Israel on war footing as conflict with Hezbollah enters new phase
FeatureIn Acre, as in the whole of northern Israel, schools and beaches were closed and rescue services were on high alert. On Monday, the rocket salvos fired by Hezbollah in response to the Israeli army's bombardment caused no casualties and hit no significant targets.
"Opening of the 83rd situation update since the start of the conflict. Fighting moves north with air campaign. The army continues to attack in Judea-Samaria," a bald man in a black T-shirt explained in an even voice, using the biblical name for the West Bank. He is one of the members of the war council held in the reinforced basement of the town hall in Acre, a large northern city with a population of 60,000. The town's public players, some 20 in all, were here for the first briefing on Monday, September 23, at 9 pm, as the conflict pitting Israel against Lebanon-based Hezbollah enters a new phase. The confrontation began on October 8, when the Shiite movement launched rockets into northern Israel, in support of the bombarded Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in retaliation for the October 7 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis.
"Acre is holding firm. No casualties so far. The army spokesperson talks of escalation. Schools have been closed. Beaches too. The home front command has banned gatherings," continued the man in the black T-shirt. This command is a fully-fledged army corps, responsible for protecting civilians during conflict. Created in 1992 after the first Gulf War, it aims to prepare citizens for an attack, organizes the distribution of aid during fighting and publishes instructions to be followed. It allows the rest of the army to concentrate on purely military operations.
The head of the home front command unit in Acre, Kobi Bitan, told Le Monde, "everyone is deployed. We're checking shelters, patrolling. People seem to be in good spirits." Amichai Ben Shlush, the city's new mayor, elected in March, asked for confirmation: "Have you issued the instructions? I want our citizens to know everything." The young, athletic mayor is preparing for a long war, while believing in the future of his city: 8,000 housing units are under construction. In particular, he hopes to welcome Jews from France. In the meantime, to reassure his constituents, he encouraged his agents to go out into the field. "It helps reinforce the feeling of security," he said. "We've also increased our support for mental health. The needs are going to increase."
Around the large table, participants were concentrated. The entire basement of Acre Town Hall was designed to withstand bombardment. The city can be controlled from this control center. One room is equipped with monitors that relay images from surveillance cameras. Another room is dedicated to a call center for medical and psychological assistance by telephone.
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