KIRYAT SHMONA, Israel — Gila Pahima returned to her hometown of Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel last spring, 18 months after its population had been evacuated because of Hezbollah rocket fire. Most Israelis support the war against Iran, hopeful it can lead to meaningful change in the Middle East. Golan, 79, arrived in Kiryat Shmona in 1951 after his family immigrated to Israel from Iraq. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz has said none will return until northern Israel is safe and calm. Pahima, who came back last spring, was born in Kiryat Shmona and raised four sons there.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 18, 2026 12:45 UTC