Founding of the Jewish moshava

When the Druze Rebellion of 1895 broke out the men of Mutallah joined its ranks. Since the women were not able to cope with the work, the owner of the land, a Christian from Sidon named Jabur Bey Riskalas (Greek Diplomat to Middle East), sold 12,800 dunams of land to Baron de Rothschild's chief officer Joshua Ossovetski.^[10][11][12] It had been inhabited and cultivated by more than 600 Druze tenant farmers. When the Druze Rebellion was put down, the men returned and demanded their tenancy rights back.^[11] Ossovetski called in the Turkish authorities, who came to arrest the Druse as deserters and rebels, while Ossovetski offered them paltry compensation to leave the land.^[11] Many were dissatisfied and eight years of feuds and violent clashes ensued.^[11] Eventually an agreement was reached between the villagers and the Jewish Colonization Association in 1904 for an additional payment of 60,000 francs (3,000 Turkish pounds).^[10][11][13] This episode brought much criticism of the methods of Rothschild's agents, including some from other Zionists such as Ahad Ha'am.^[11][13][14] The Druze moved to other Druze-inhabited villages, including Isfiya on Mount Carmel.^[15]

The Jewish moshava settlement was founded in June 1896 by 60 farming families from more established settlements and 20 families of non-farming professions. Most of the founders were immigrants from Russia. Pioneers (halutzim) from Petah Tikva also joined in settling Metula, as did some religious scholars from Safed.

Nahal Ayyun Bridge

Nahal Ayun Bridge

The bridge over Nahal Ayun was built by the British in the years 1943–44. On June 17, 1946 (Night of the bridges) all four Palmach battalions (the Haganah elite units) captured and destroyed 11 border bridges. As a consequence, on June 29, 1946 ("Black Sabbath"), the British soldiers imprisoned many Yishuv leaders and Palmach members. The bridge was blown up again by the Palmach during the War of Independence. It was repaired in the 1980s.^[18]

The "Good Fence" (1976–2000)

The Good Fence (הגדר הטובה‎, HaGader HaTova or Fatima Crossing) was a border crossing from Metula to Lebanon; it opened in 1976, and was closed in 2000 after Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon. The border crossing had allowed Lebanese to find jobs in northern Israel, access health services, attend school, and transport goods.

1985 attack

"Safari" Disaster Memorial site

The Safari Disaster occurred during the South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000). On the afternoon of Sunday, March 10, 1985, a convoy of IDF soldiers in "Safari" model trucks were driving from Metula towards the Lebanese town of Marjayoun. Dozens of soldiers, having just attended Shabbat, were on their way back to duty. In accordance with regulations, one armed jeep in the forefront and two in the rear, and helmets and bullet-proof vests were worn. As they were crossing the narrow bridge over Nahal Ayyun at 13:45 a red Chevrolet pickup truck drove towards them. The soldiers of the first jeep noticed that the driver had friendly smile, and he was signaled him to pull over to let the convoy pass. The first jeep and the first safari truck did so. On 13:50 the driver of the Chebrolet detonated a tremendous explosion which shattered windows in Metula itself. Twelve soldiers were killed and 14 wounded.^[20]

2006 Lebanon War

During the 2006 Lebanon War, Metula became a temporary ghost town when its populace fled Hezbollah rocket fire. It was hit by 120 rockets during the war.^[19]

2023 Israel–Hamas war

In the midst of the 2023 conflict between Hamas and Israel, Hezbollah militants targeted northern Israeli border communities, prompting the evacuation of several, including Metula. On October 17, a Hezbollah-launched anti-tank missile struck Metula, resulting in the injury of one civilian and two IDF reservists.^[21]

On 19 December, Hezbollah fired artillery shells at the town.^[22]