Netanyahu loses support in northern Israel as voters demand tougher stance on Lebanon

Plunging support in northern Israel is pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to adopt a more hawkish stance against Hezbollah, as the region has borne the brunt of rocket fire. A new poll, shared exclusively with Reuters, indicates that residents in the north are abandoning Netanyahu's Likud party at a higher rate than voters in other areas and are more critical of his war management in Lebanon.

The poll, conducted by Agam Labs at Israel's Hebrew University, highlights how Netanyahu is increasingly caught between domestic electoral pressures and the diplomatic efforts of his U.S. allies. With a general election due by October, the results could impact his governing coalition's power and his long-standing political career.

For residents in the northern city of Kiryat Shmona, where half the voters backed Likud in the last election, eradicating the threat from Hezbollah and its near-daily attacks is the paramount issue. They express a desire for a more aggressive military campaign, unhindered by international pressure to cease hostilities. "All night there are loud explosions," said Kiryat Shmona resident Moshe Yifrah, 45, questioning the efficacy of a ceasefire with a group he described as "murderers who want to kill us."

Hezbollah initiated cross-border fire following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, prompting an intense Israeli military campaign in Lebanon. Although an April truce was reached, Hezbollah resumed firing after Israel and the United States launched a war on Iran on February 28, leading Israel to renew its assault. Since October 2023, Hezbollah fire has killed over 50 civilians in northern Israel, while Lebanese officials report more than 7,500 deaths from Israeli military actions in Lebanon.

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All night there are loud explosions. Who would we make it with? Murderers who want to kill us?