Israelis in northern border communities reported to be heading southward

As tension rises in northern Israel, Channel 12 news claims that “75% of Galilee residents have left their homes” — in an apparent reference, in particular, to areas close to the northern border. (Some 1.6 million Israelis live in the Galilee.)

The TV station’s reporter at the border says that in some border communities, the figure is closer to 90%.

“Those who feel they cannot deal with the tension — not just today, but who are suffering accumulated trauma from years back — were advised two days ago that they should take their things and slowly, carefully head south,” he says, without specifying who gave this advice.

“The roads are open… The Homefront Command is permitting some kind of normal life in the area, but many have headed south toward the center of the country,” he says.

He notes that the border communities’ local security squads are continuing to ask the IDF to expedite the distribution of weapons to them.