Qiryat Shemona, Israel - January 25, 2025 Residents in northern Israel, who have returned to their homes following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, remain worried about their safety, fearing a potential reignition of conflict in their communities despite the agreement in place. The clashes between Israel and Hamas have impacted the lives of residents in border towns across northern Israel, leaving many towns deserted. A town in the city of Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel, which once housed around 25,000 residents, has seen nearly all of its inhabitants flee their homes over the past year and a half due to the conflict. Many businesses in the town have shut down, with only a few restaurants remaining open. While most of the people in the town were transferred to hotels scattered around the country, some defied the relocations and chose to stay during the conflict. The ceasefire agreement was announced on Jan 15 and comprises three phases towards a permanent ceasefire between the two parties. Following the ceasefire agreement, some residents have begun to return to their homes - some out of faith in the agreement, while others out of necessity. However, many still live in fear upon returning home, concerned about the possibility of the conflict reoccurring. Shotlist: Kiryat Shmona, Israel - Jan 25, 2025: 1. Various of roads, buildings; 2. Empty park; 3. Pedestrians, buildings; 4. Various of empty stores; 5. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Marga, resident: "This isn't a place where we can be afraid. At no point during the war was this a good place to be afraid. I can say that I myself wasn't afraid. For me personally, the only thing I am afraid of is terrorists, but there weren't any here. Missiles are missiles, and all of them have their own destiny to follow."; 6. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Sara, resident (ending with shot 7): "I returned to Kiryat Shmona two weeks ago. I used to work at a supermarket, but I've lost my job because of the war. I've also returned because I don't have any other option, because I am unemployed. And it's still frightening -- it's like living in fear every day, that an October 7 might also happen here."; 7. Various of rubble, damaged house; 8. Various of buildings, pedestrians, people sitting outdoors. [Restirction - No access Chinese mainland]