Haifa Turns Ghost Town Amid Hezbollah Strikes in Israel

Haifa, once a bustling tourist hub in northern Israel, has turned into a ghost town as Hezbollah’s continuous rocket attacks have instilled fear in the hearts of its residents. The Israeli military has advised the public to stay indoors, leaving the streets eerily empty.

India Today’s reporter Gaurav Sawant reached Haifa, witnessing the grim reality firsthand. Just three days ago, Hezbollah launched approximately 100 rockets from southern Lebanon, targeting Haifa Bay and other northern Israeli areas. Now, the city’s residents remain hidden in their homes, and the once vibrant city has fallen silent.

Shlome Haskel, a Haifa resident and a former Israeli navy officer, described the situation as dire. “Normally, hundreds of people would be out enjoying restaurants and tourist sites, but now, the streets are empty,” Haskel said. The Lebanon border is just 5-7 km away, and tensions are running high.

For several weeks, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have been pounding southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah strongholds. This cross-border fighting escalated on October 8, after Hezbollah fired missiles in support of Hamas, which is waging war against Israel from Gaza.

On September 30, Israel initiated a limited ground offensive after striking Hezbollah’s headquarters in Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburbs, killing its leader Hassan Nasrallah. His cousin and likely successor, Hashem Safieddine, was also targeted in a recent Israeli airstrike, though his fate remains unknown.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reinforced his support for Hezbollah and Hamas, calling Israel’s defeat inevitable. He described Iran’s missile attack on Israel as both “legal and legitimate,” declaring it as the least punishment for Israel’s alleged crimes.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

See Full Bio