Yiftah (Hebrew: יִפְתָּח, lit. 'He will open') is a kibbutz in northern Israel. Located near the Lebanese border and Kiryat Shmona, it falls under the jurisdiction of Upper Galilee Regional Council. In 2022 it had a population of 605.[1]
Yiftah | |
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Yiftah | |
Coordinates: 33°7′40″N 35°33′6″E / 33.12778°N 35.55167°E | |
Country | Israel |
District | Northern |
Council | Upper Galilee |
Affiliation | Kibbutz Movement |
Founded | 18 August 1948 |
Founded by | Demobilised Palmach soldiers |
Population (2022) | 605[1] |
Website | yiftah.kibbutz.org.il |
Kibbutz Yiftah was established on 18 August 1948 by demobilised Palmach soldiers who were members of the Yiftach Brigade, after which the kibbutz is named. Metzudat Koach is located nearby.[citation needed]
Yiftah is located near Jahula,[2] but on the land belonging to the depopulated Palestinian village of Qadas.[3]
During the 2023 war between Hamas and Israel, northern Israeli border communities, including Yiftah, faced targeted attacks by Hezbollah and Palestinian factions based in Lebanon, and were evacuated.[4] On 5 November 2023, a driver operating an Israeli water tank for the IDF was killed by an anti-tank missile launched by Hezbollah operatives near the kibbutz.[5]
On 19 December, Hezbollah fired artillery shells at the kibbutz.[6]