DaysofPal – A wave of internal displacement has spread across Israel, with thousands of residents leaving central and northern areas following escalating rocket attacks linked to the regional confrontation involving Iran and Hezbollah, according to a report by the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.
The report described an unusual influx of people heading toward the southern resort city of Eilat in search of safety from rocket fire. Thousands of Israelis arrived in recent days, reflecting rising anxiety and a decline in the sense of security even in areas once considered far from the front lines.
Many of those who fled from central and northern regions gathered in Eilat, though the situation there quickly disappointed some newcomers. Air raid sirens sounded dozens of times during a single week, according to the newspaper, forcing residents and visitors to repeatedly seek shelter.
One Israeli who fled from Jerusalem told the newspaper that running to shelters “no longer feels effective,” highlighting growing frustration and a sense of helplessness in the face of continued missile threats.
Residents described the atmosphere in the city as chaotic. Families have repeatedly rushed to shelters during alarms while hotels struggle with overcrowding. Roughly half of the city’s hotels have closed due to security and economic pressures, limiting accommodation options for those arriving from other regions.
The displacement has not been limited to central Israel. Thousands of residents from the northern settlement of Kiryat Shmona have also left their homes following persistent attacks from the Lebanese front and missile launches linked to Iran.
One evacuee said his family returned to the same hotel where they had stayed more than a year earlier during previous evacuations. This time, they were forced to cover the costs themselves. “We escaped the sirens in the north,” he said. “The rockets may have followed us here as well.”
The repeated movement of residents between cities reflects growing uncertainty inside Israeli society. Many people now believe that no area can be considered fully outside the range of attack.
The situation has also affected Eilat’s economy. The city relies heavily on domestic tourism, yet visitor numbers have declined and several hotel facilities have shut down, raising concerns about a local economic downturn.
Eli Lankri acknowledged that the city remains under strict defensive measures. He said authorities cannot reopen schools or return to normal routines under current conditions.
Israel’s Home Front Command has kept existing security restrictions in place, citing assessments that the risk of rocket attacks remains high.
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