Hezbollah Planned to Take Over Kiryat Shmona from Within - Here's How

Minister of the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience Yitzhak Wasserlauf claimed Sunday during a cabinet meeting that Hezbollah attempted to take control of the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona from within, by purchasing apartments in the city.

Wasserlauf said that Hezbollah operated during the war through Arab Israeli citizens to purchase apartments in Kiryat Shmona in an effort to gain control of the city from within.

According to a report in Ynet, sources familiar with the details say the Shin Bet is aware of the phenomenon and is investigating whether apartments purchased in Kiryat Shmona during the war were indeed bought under the direction of the terrorist organization.

The Shin Bet, according to the report, did not deny the details but stated they do not comment on matters discussed "in closed rooms." It should be noted that as of now, there are no official statistics on the phenomenon.

Kiryat Shmona Mayor Avichai Stern addressed the claim, stating: "Certainly Hezbollah also understands the unique location and strategic importance of Kiryat Shmona, and would be happy to undermine it from within and without. It's possible they tried, from what I know, it didn't succeed!"

"The residents of Kiryat Shmona prove again what strong material they are made of, and that's the reason. On the contrary: settlement in Kiryat Shmona is strengthening, and clearly specifically from the direction of the Religious Zionist sector and families who come to the city out of love, mission and faith, and choose to build a home here," the mayor added.

Mayor Stern further stated that "the reality of Kiryat Shmona requires the Government of Israel to act now. Not with declarations and not in the distant future, but with a dedicated, immediate and clear decision to strengthen Kiryat Shmona economically, communally and security-wise, due to its strategic significance for Zionism and the security of the State of Israel."

"Hezbollah understands this, and it would be good if the Government of Israel understands this too. I thank Minister Wasserlauf for his work and commitment to Kiryat Shmona, but alongside that I say unequivocally: Kiryat Shmona needs a dedicated government decision now. Any further delay endangers the future of the city and this must not happen," he concluded.