The city center of Kiryat Shmona took a direct hit from a Hezbollah missile overnight, following a series of missile launches from Lebanon targeting Israel's northern communities, the IDF announced early Saturday morning.
The impact reportedly caused significant damage to businesses and shops; however, there were no reported deaths or injuries.
According to Kiryat Shmona Mayor Avichai Stern, all other missiles were successfully intercepted by Iron Dome during the barrage.
Deputy Mayor of Kiryat Shmona, Ze'evik Zweigi, sharply criticized the state's handling of the situation and even threatened to leave Likud.
"I'm giving the ministers and the Israeli government a month to reach Kiryat Shmona. If there's no good news, I will publicly revoke my membership in Likud, and with me, dozens more," he said.
'Kiryat Shmona has no government'
“They may have announced a ceasefire, but in Kiryat Shmona and the surrounding area, there hasn’t been a moment of ceasefire. Something happens here every day," Zweigi said.
"Last night, there were several sirens starting from 1:30 am, interceptions, and rocket barrages. In the last barrage, at around 3:30 am, a direct hit struck a shopping center, causing significant property damage. A major disaster was avoided last night. Normally, this is a crowded place, and I don’t want to think what would have happened on a regular day," he added.
"Neither the government nor the Home Front Command takes responsibility for the situation and treats us as if we are in a ceasefire zone. I say this as a right-winger and a Likud Center member: Kiryat Shmona has no government,” he said.
Bennett accuses government of returning to 'containment' policy
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett also criticized the government's handling of security in northern Israel, accusing it of returning to a policy of "containment" in the face of ongoing threats.
"Residents of the north endured yet another weekend of lawlessness. They deserve to live in security, just like in Tel Aviv," read a statement issued by Bennett. He said repeated alarms across northern communities over the weekend had forced residents to seek shelter and argued that the situation should not be accepted as normal.
Calling the government's response inadequate, Bennett said, "This is not a victory. This is not Zionism. This is not an appropriate response." He added that Beirut's Dahiya district "must tremble until security returns to the north" and called for a combination of full operational freedom for the IDF and intensified regional diplomacy involving Saudi Arabia and Gulf states. Bennett also attacked the coalition, saying it was "incapable" of restoring security.
Metula mayor accuses government of neglecting northern residents
Metula Council head David Azoulay also criticized the government following last night's events.
“This was yet another night of neglect, sirens, running to shelters, and an impossible reality for all residents along the confrontation line, and the Israeli government simply doesn’t care,” he said.
Azoulay also called on northern municipal leaders to intensify their fight with the government. “
I call on my fellow municipal leaders – it’s time to rise and act so that the Israeli government understands once and for all that northern security comes first. The prime minister and defense minister should spend a night in a border community and then tell us if it’s reasonable to live like this. My message to the Israeli government is clear: enough statements and slogans for the media. We demand action, now,” he said.
Tobias Siegal contributed to this report.