We are prepared for an escalation in the north, and there isn't any panic or anything remotely like it. The opposite – residents of the north are aware of the situation. They were instructed to stay inside, and they listened. However, we have no intention of ignoring the circumstances. Sunday's event, which was still underway as I was writing this, could still require us to respond. So our main mission is to allow the army to operate and carry out its tasks while doing our part as best we can – for example, if residents need to be evacuated should things become more complicated.
On Sunday morning, we started the school year as planned. Some 8,000 children went to 11 schools, one of which is only 150 meters (500 feet) from where the Hezbollah missiles landed. Happily, at least at this stage, the incident targeted the army, which had been ready for it for some time, as we ourselves had.
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It's no secret that Hezbollah can't beat us. No matter what it does, it can't defeat us. But we still can't ignore the fact that if Sunday's clash results in a larger event, we might face a few challenging days. In other words, our job as heads of local authorities near the northern border is to allow the army to concentrate on evacuating Maroun al-Ras and Bint Jabal in southern Lebanon, not Iron and Sasa in Israel.
If necessary, our bomb shelters can be opened remotely. Everyone is ready and supplied with water, food, and first aid supplies. It's important to stress that when an incident is underway, instructions are not to run for shelter, but rather to lie down on the ground and cover your head.
I hope that this incident won't develop, but if it does, we'll do our best to cope. We are in close, direct contact with senior military officials, and our residents know that. I can say with confidence that we know how to transition from the ordinary to a state of emergency very quickly, and back again.
