Herzog visits Israel’s northernmost town, vows evacuated residents will ‘definitely return’

President Isaac Herzog visited the northern border town of Metula yesterday and met its mayor, members of its civilian security squad and IDF reservists serving there amid the war, the President’s Residence says in a statement.

The most northern community in Israel has been evacuated of its residents for over seven months, as have towns and cities up to 5 kilometers from the Lebanon border, amid near-daily cross-border skirmishes with the Hezbollah terror group that have accompanied the war against Hamas in Gaza.

Herzog vows that despite its current state, Metula “will exist for hundreds and thousands of more years.”

Amid prolonged frustration among northern residents and the government’s refusal to lay out a timeline for their return, Herzog says: “Israel sovereignty extends until the border, most definitely. We simply care for the residents and therefore they’re not here. But this war will eventually end in one way or another.

“I tell you with certainty, and I tell Metula residents: We will definitely return here,” the president adds. “We will return calm to Metula and the entire north.”

Herzog also praises the IDF forces and security squad for their work.

Mayor David Azoulay thanks Herzog, saying the visit has come as a pleasant surprise that raises morale.