Herzog praises students’ resilience in visit to school in previously evacuated northern border town

President Isaac Herzog visits children at the Rambam school in Kiryat Shmona on the first day of the school year, praising the northern town for its perseverance throughout Israel’s fight against Lebanon’s terror group Hezbollah since the war in Gaza began.

“In the past two years [Kiryat Shmona] has… stood at the front line, on the border, against a terrible and relentless assault,” Herzog tells children at the school, which was damaged during the war and resumed activity about six months ago, according to a statement from his office.

Herzog is accompanied by Kiryat Shmona Mayor Avichai Stern, the statement adds.

“You left your homes, some of you stayed behind to defend the town — and here we are now, as a symbol of courage, a symbol of victory,” he continues.

Herzog joins the school’s students and teaching staff in releasing yellow balloons, as a symbol of solidarity with the remaining hostages in Gaza.

“May we know better days, and may our prayer be fulfilled to see all the hostages return home as quickly as possible,” the president says.

According to the Education Ministry, 95 percent of students who were evacuated from 32 northern communities, after Hezbollah began attacking in support of Gaza during the war with Hamas, are returning to school there today, following the gradual return of residents since Israel’s November ceasefire with Hezbollah.