Returning residents to north Israel now a war goal, Netanyahu says

JERUSALEM - Israel on Sept 17 expanded its stated goals of the war in Gaza to include enabling residents to return to communities in northern Israel that have been evacuated due to attacks by Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The decision was approved during an overnight meeting of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet, his office said.

Hamas’ Oct 7 assault

on southern Israel sparked the war in Gaza. Hezbollah opened a second front against Israel a day later and fighting across the Israel-Lebanon border has since escalated, threatening to ignite a regional conflict.

Tens of thousands of Israelis were evacuated from towns along the northern frontier that have been badly damaged by rocket fire and they have yet to return.

Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Sept 16: “The possibility for an agreement is running out as Hezbollah continues to ‘tie itself’ to Hamas, and refuses to end the conflict.

“Therefore, the only way left to ensure the return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes will be via military action.”

Mr Gallant conveyed the message to Mr Amos Hochstein, senior adviser to US President Joe Biden, who came to Israel in an attempt to prevent Israel’s long-simmering conflict with the Iranian-backed militia from escalating into a broader war.

Mr Gallant said Israel needed to “change the security situation on the northern border”, but it was unclear what military action he may be proposing.

His comments appeared to dampen hopes of a diplomatic solution.

The cross-border clashes have intensified in recent months, and as Israel scales down its assault against Hamas in Gaza, it has freed up more of its forces for a possible offensive in the north against Hezbollah.

Earlier in the day, Mr Gallant said he had delivered the same message to US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.

White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters last week that the visit by Mr Hochstein is part of efforts by the Biden administration to prevent “an escalation and a widening of this conflict”,

On Sept 16, Mr Hochstein met Mr Gallant and Mr Netanyahu.

In a statement after their meeting, Mr Netanyahu’s office said he told Mr Hochstein that “while Israel appreciates and respects the support of the US, it will ultimately do what is necessary to safeguard its security and return the residents of the north securely to their homes”.

Mr Hochstein, for his part, disputed Israeli officials’ contention that more military action would accomplish Israel’s goal of returning residents to their homes, according to a person familiar with the meetings, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. REUTERS, NYTIMES