"The feeling is that they are trying to fool us": Soldiers left the lights on at a post on the Lebanon border - and left

Residents of Moshav Natua in the Western Galilee discovered in recent days that the military post near the settlement, which was established after the Swords of Iron war to provide them with immediate protection in case of infiltration from the Lebanon border, remained empty of soldiers. The lights continue to burn at the post, creating an impression from the outside that it is still manned.

According to Yoav Cohen, chairman of the Moshav Natua committee, residents were clarified after the war that due to their proximity to the border, permanent forces would be stationed in the moshavim of the Ma'ale Yosef Regional Council. In Natua, a post called "Magen Natua" was established, containing housing and infrastructure for an infantry platoon that was supposed to rotate between reserve rounds.

"They told us that this would give us security and the feeling that there is a permanent infantry platoon here, which would provide the first response if, God forbid, an incident occurs," Cohen said in a conversation with Walla. According to him, about ten days ago the battalion operating in the sector was replaced, but the new force did not man the post due to a shortage of manpower.

"They simply left this post empty and gave the feeling that it was full. The lights are on, everything is on there - but the post is empty and locked," he said. "We understand that there is attrition in the reserve combat system. People have been worn out over the last two-three years. But if there is a problem, there is a standby squad here and people with high combat training - draft them. Don't leave us like this with nothing."

"After October 7, one cannot settle for a false sense of security"

Cohen said he noticed the absence of soldiers a few days ago, but initially assumed it was a call-up or an exercise. "I checked several times. I came during the day and I came at night, and I realized that there is simply no one there," he said. According to him, officers in the sector explained to him that the reason is a shortage of manpower, among other things because forces are operating inside Lebanon and conducting patrols along the border.

At first, Cohen refrained from telling the residents about it. "I tried to keep it as much as possible so as not to create panic, but I had no choice anymore," he said. According to him, in a neighboring moshav as well, the force was significantly reduced, although it is still manned.

"They committed to us that the state and the army would provide security. The feeling is that they are trying to fool us - they leave everything on so that we think there are soldiers there," added Cohen. "It is really disappointing and humiliating. We are still living here, raising children and hosting families. There is still fighting, the IDF is operating across the border and we hear explosions. After October 7, one cannot settle for a false sense of security. We are not asking for anything other than that they keep the promises and prevent what must not happen again."

From the Ma'ale Yosef Regional Council, it was stated that "the head of the council and the council's security department are working day and night in close cooperation with the IDF and security forces. Such sensitive issues are better kept in open channels of discourse between the various security agencies and not published publicly. At the same time, we will emphasize that we will not compromise on the security of all the council's residents."

And indeed, an examination reveals that with the change in the situation, the concept has changed. In accordance with the situation assessment, the forces are in a redeployment in the area based on a forward defense concept, so that the forces that were previously in internal positions are now performing defense missions from within the security zone in southern Lebanon. The forces perform defense based on the operational need assessment and therefore some of the reinforcement complexes in the settlements are not manned on a permanent basis.

IDF emphasizes that the forces are operating and will continue to operate in the sector in order to ensure the security of the residents of the North. IDF emphasizes that the change was not made due to a shortage of manpower, but due to the deepening of the presence in the security zone in southern Lebanon.

But the question remains, how do you make such a change without discourse with the residents, and without informing them?