Northern Israel Solidarity Tour: Kiryat Shmona, Kibbutzim & Golan Heights

Northern Israel Solidarity Tour
The Northern Israel Solidarity Tour offers a unique glimpse into the lives of communities dealing with the aftermath of the war between Israel and Hezbollah since October 7, 2023. The tour includes visiting Kiryat Shmona, Kibbutz Malkiya on the border with Lebanon, and the Golan Heights.
The Solidarity Tour of Northern Israel showcases not only the beauty and strategic importance of Northern Israel but also the resilience of its residents. Against the backdrop of rocket fire, evacuations, and economic challenges, this tour weaves together stories of recovery and new hope.
Background to the Israel-Hezbollah War in Northern Israel
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is a period of ongoing violence and suffering for Northern Israel. Cities along the Lebanese border, such as Kiryat Shmona and Kibbutz Malkiya, suffered from constant rocket fire and security threats from Hezbollah, communities faced unparalleled damage to infrastructure and buildings, widespread evacuations as residents fled their homes in uncertainty and many were housed in hotels across the country to this day. Beyond the physical destruction, the war has left a profound impact on the economic and social fabric of the region, which was already at a low socioeconomic level but is now facing a very long reconstruction.
The war on the northern front between Israel and Hezbollah lasted for approximately 11 months, from October 8, 2023, to September 16, 2024. During this period, Hezbollah launched sustained attacks on northern Israel, including areas near the border, the Upper Galilee, and the Golan Heights region. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah joined as a support front for Gaza and Iranian revolutiony guards.
Hezbollah's tactics, which included rocket fire, anti-tank missiles, and drone strikes, were designed to disrupt Israel's focus on the Gaza front and weaken its defenses. In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) increased its presence in the north, deploying three divisions and reinforcing the area against potential invasions, with the understanding that Hezbollah would attempt to replicate the Gaza invasion from the north with the help of Radwan's force(Elite commando unit). Israel also adopted an offensive-defensive strategy, which included artillery strikes, drone operations, and targeted airstrikes that killed key Hezbollah operatives and disrupted its infrastructure.
As the war intensified, the IDF expanded its efforts to neutralize threats, particularly in southern Lebanon and Syria. By September 2024, over 30 senior Hezbollah commanders had been killed in targeted operations, and significant parts of Hezbollah's missile and drone capabilities had been destroyed.
Critical strikes included the killing of key leaders such as Hezbollah's military commander and operatives involved in planning attacks during the daring Beeper Operation, as well as the organization's leader Nasrallah elimination. Ground operations also played a significant role, with Israeli forces seizing strategic positions in southern Lebanon and later near the Litani River, further reducing Hezbollah's ability to fire into Israeli territory. However, the war had devastating effects, including the loss of civilian life, particularly in incidents such as the July 2024 rocket strike on Majdal Shams, which killed 12 children and injured 34 Druze civilians.
The war ended with a ceasefire agreement on November 27, 2024, which lasted about 60 days, till the Trump administration entered active duty, After a massive escalation that caused a significant deterioration in Hezbollah's capabilities. While the ceasefire brought temporary relief, both sides faced challenges in maintaining their terms and are still struggling. Hezbollah has occasionally violated the agreement, which has prompted Israeli reactions.
The results of the war left the northern communities with extensive damage and anxiety about their security from future threats. Lebanon currently has more than 2 million displaced people who have been forced to flee southern Lebanon and in Israel over 100,000 people who haven't returned to their homes, many turning to international assistance and local resilience efforts to recover from the long and devastating conflict.
Kiryat Shmona – Fatalities and Total Destruction
With the outbreak of the Iron Swords War in the northern region, residents were quickly evacuated from dozens of communities in the Upper Galilee, including Kiryat Shmona. The residents were transferred to guesthouses in cities such as Jerusalem, Netanya, and Haifa, to ensure their safety from potential attacks by Hezbollah.
During the war, Kiryat Shmona suffered extensive rocket and missile barrages from Lebanon, leaving behind incredible destruction of infrastructure, homes, businesses, and nature.
In February 2024, an anti-tank missile hit a mother and her teenage son, who was killed on the spot. A month later, a rocket strike claimed the life of a worker at an industrial plant and lightly injured two other workers. By May 2024, Mayor Avichai Stern reported that only about 3,000 of the city’s 24,000 remained, with the rest temporarily evacuated to state-funded hotels.
The impact of the war also extended to the surrounding nature, with fires blazing across the city in May, and the heat and dryness decimating the city’s vegetation. October 2024 brought another tragedy when a couple of residents were killed by a missile strike while walking their dogs at 7 a.m.
As part of the Solidarity Tour to Northern Israel, you can visit Kiryat Shmona and witness the city’s ongoing reconstruction efforts and determination to overcome the hardships of the war and return to its former state.
Walking through the streets of Kiryat Shmona, you will see destroyed neighborhoods and buildings that were hit by enemy missiles, and parts of the city still look like an apocalyptic scenario of an abandoned and empty city. The tour includes visits to local businesses that have reopened their doors, community centers where residents gather to rebuild their lives, and monuments dedicated to the victims of the war.
You can also shop in the city to support a struggling community to get back to life! The tour sheds light on the incredible spirit of Kiryat Shmona and the collective efforts to return to normality.
The solidarity visit to Kiryat Shmona includes a tour of areas that were affected by missile and drone attacks, providing insight into the challenges faced during the war. Guests will meet local residents and hear their stories of survival, evacuation, and eventual return.
Kibbutz Malkiya - The Frontline on the Northern Border 200 Meters from the Enemy
During the Iron Swords War, Kibbutz Malkiya, located about 200 meters from the Lebanese border, faced severe attacks from Hezbollah. The kibbutz was one of the main targets of rocket fire, anti-tank missiles, and direct hits by suicide drones. These attacks caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including the destruction of homes, public facilities, and especially agricultural areas that were completely burned.
Due to its proximity to the separation fence and the presence of a military base near the kibbutz, the kibbutz became a major target for Hezbollah, which led to the evacuation of its residents early in the war.
The evacuation was part of the Israeli government’s broader policy of moving communities near the border to safer areas in central Israel and Jerusalem. The residents of Malkia were temporarily relocated to hotels and lodgings in central and southern Israel, away from the northern front line, to ensure their safety.
Despite the challenges, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded with heavy artillery and airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, while maintaining a strong defense line in the area to prevent further incursions.
It is important to emphasize that no one was killed on the kibbutz, but dramatic damage remains to this day.
In Kibbutz Malkiya, visitors will experience the unique spirit of a community that has endured and rebuilt despite being on the frontline of the conflict. The visit includes a tour of areas that were affected by missile and drone attacks, providing insight into the challenges faced during the war. Guests will meet soldiers, visit a military base, and meet residents and hear their stories of survival, evacuation, and eventual return. The kibbutz also highlights its agricultural roots, with opportunities to support local farmers and learn about ongoing recovery efforts that have brought the community back to life.
The Golan Heights Front
During the Iron Swords War, the Golan Heights became another front due to its proximity to Syria and Lebanon. The area was subject to rocket and missile attacks, as well as infiltrations by UAVs, which caused significant damage to IDF bases and homes.
One of the most tragic incidents occurred in July 2024, when a rocket hit a soccer field in Majdal Shams, killing 12 children and injuring 34 other residents. This event deeply shocked Israeli society and prompted Israel to plan another operation to eliminate the terrorists who planned the operation.
In October 2023, at the beginning of the war, rockets were launched from southern Lebanon towards Har Dov, hitting an IDF post but fortunately causing no casualties. There have also been several attempts by Hezbollah operatives to infiltrate along the northern border, many of whom were stopped by military forces.
One of the key events in the fighting in the Golan Heights has been the impact of massive fires caused by rocket attacks. In June 2024, more than 10,000 dunams of land and natural forest burned, requiring combined efforts by the IDF, firefighters, and firefighting aircraft to contain the flames. The destruction of the nature reserves in the Golan Heights is immense and we need to restore everything.
In May 2024, a rocket hit a Druze village in the Golan Heights, causing casualties and extensive damage to buildings, killing a woman who was in a sheltered room. This attack heightened concerns among the local community and led to swift and decisive IDF airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Syria and Lebanon.
Throughout the conflict, the Golan Heights was a central area where the IDF operated to prevent infiltration and protect its residents from Syria and Lebanon. The military operations included targeted attacks on terrorist infrastructure in Syria, such as military airfields and facilities belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. While the war-scarred the Golan Heights, the region remained determined to recover and return to normal quickly in preparation for the upcoming tourist season.
In the Golan Heights, visitors will witness the region's breathtaking beauty alongside the scars left by the conflict on a Jeep tour. The North Solidarity tour on the Golan Heights includes visits to nature reserves affected by wildfires caused by rocket strikes and showcases ongoing efforts to restore the environment. Key highlights include Mount Bental, the border with Syria, old Syrian buildings, and other strategic areas where significant battles occurred. Guests will learn about the region's critical role in Israel's defense and explore local communities contributing to the area’s revival. The Golan Heights is a powerful reminder of nature’s resilience and the human spirit’s rebuilding capacity.
The Impact of the War on Israeli Border Towns
Moshavim
1. Margaliot – Near the Lebanese border, suffered from rocket fire, the moshav was evacuated due to the beginning of the war.
2. Yuval – Shelling, extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure.
3. Betzet – Multiple rocket hits, some of which caused fires in agricultural fields.
4. Dishon – The moshav dealt with rocket hits and civilian deaths.
5. Ramot Naftali – experienced heavy rocket fire due to its proximity to the northern border, which caused damage to houses and vineyards.
6. Alma – suffered from rocket fire, residents were evacuated in the first week of the war.
Kibbutzim
1. Malkiya – Severely damaged by missile and drone attacks, residents evacuated at the beginning of the war.
2. Manara – Destruction of the kibbutz, approximately 150 meters from the Lebanese border.
3. Kfar Giladi – UAV's Infiltration, causing damage to agricultural infrastructure.
4. Dan – Suffered from rocket attacks and dealt with fires in agricultural fields.
5. Metula – Rocket hits, and damages to houses and roads.80% distraction.
6. Lehavot Ha Bashan – Numerous rocket hits, and significant damage to grazing areas.
7. Ein Zivan – Located near the Syrian border, dealt with missile hits due to its proximity to the military base nearby.
8. Merom Golan – Communication disruptions and infiltration by UAVs.
9. Kfar Blum – Missile hits, including one incident that killed 2 civilians.
Cities
1. Kiryat Shmona – repeated rocket attacks, many casualties, severe damage to infrastructure, and almost complete evacuation of residents.
2. Rosh Pina – located on Highway 90, many rockets hit, causing damage to homes and public areas.
3. Majdal Shams – destruction and death from a rocket hit a soccer field, 12 children were killed and 34 residents were injured.
4. Boqata – the Druze city faced rocket fire and clashes near the border with Syria
6. Masade – a Druze community that suffered from rocket attacks and fears of infiltration due to its proximity to the Syrian border.
7. Neve Ativ – rocket hit, causing damage to homes and nearby agricultural areas.
Solidarity Actions and Visitor Impact
The Solidarity Tour to Northern Israel and the Golan Heights is more than just a trip to enjoy the beauty of the northern part of the country, it is an opportunity to support communities in need and see the massive damage left behind after the Iron Swords War.
Visitors can help farmers, volunteer in fields and farms, shop at local businesses, or even participate in community events. Choosing to visit and donate to Northern Israel is a mission and you have a central role in the reconstruction of the north.
Book the Northern Israel Solidarity Tour Today
The Solidarity Tourism to Northern Israel and the Golan Heights offers a rare opportunity to witness the recovery efforts of the north of the country firsthand visiting damaged cities, meeting residents and soldiers, and visiting many battle zones. By visiting the area on a daily tour, you can both benefit and contribute to the long-term reconstruction process and the resurgence of the Galilee and the Golan Heights!
BOOK ISRAEL SOLIDARITY TOUR TO NORTH ISRAEL TODAY
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