Residents of the Misgav Am kibbutz in the Upper Galil describe an ongoing security reality of gunfire, UAV infiltrations, and disruptions to daily life.

In an interview with Kan Moreshet, the chairman of the kibbutz, Erez Bergman, said that although there are currently fewer sirens than before the so-called ceasefire, the threat on the ground has not diminished.

“Yesterday there was an incident involving a drone or UAV that exploded very close to the kibbutz, right nearby,” he said. “We believe it was aimed at IDF forces, but it disrupts daily life — the access road was closed, children were stranded at schools, and residents panicked.”

Bergman noted that this was already the third such incident within about a week and a half, describing it as “a continuation of not really living.”

He also warned of a continuing trend of residents leaving the kibbutz. He said since the beginning of the war, the population has dropped sharply — from around 300 residents before the October 7 massacre to roughly 200 today.

“After the recent incidents, more families — especially those with young children — left. The people staying are mostly longtime residents. It becomes a snowball effect — when there aren’t enough children in the preschools, families begin asking themselves whether to stay,” he explained.

“There’s no siren system that effectively detects UAVs. Sometimes you hear gunfire and realize a soldier has identified a target. Most of the time, it ends with an explosion and no prior warning.”

Bergman also bemoaned the lack of protective spaces on the kibbutz,, saying that about two-thirds of the homes lack fortified rooms.

“This started even before the war through a Defense Ministry project for yishuvim near the border, but it hasn’t been implemented — partly because of labor shortages, budget problems, and complex topography that complicates the work for contractors.”

Bergman concluded by saying that the security situation for residents of northern border communities remains highly volatile.

“Right now it’s apparently directed at soldiers, but the capability exists — and if Hezbollah wants, it could also be directed at civilians.”

“This is a reality where people don’t sleep at night. There’s nothing here that resembles normal life.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)