Israeli Defense Minister Pushes for Offensive Against Hezbollah as Tensions Rise
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated on Monday that military action against Hezbollah is the only way to ensure the return of tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis to their homes as rocket and drone attacks from Lebanon continued to strike northern Israel. Speaking with US envoy Amos Hochstein, Gallant warned that “the possibility for an agreement is running out as Hezbollah continues to ‘tie itself’ to Hamas and refuses to end the conflict,” according to a statement from his office. “Therefore, the only way left to ensure the return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes will be via military action.”
Hochstein met earlier with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials to seek a diplomatic solution to the Israel-Lebanon border conflict. During his meeting with Gallant, Hochstein cautioned that a major Israeli offensive against Hezbollah could escalate into a prolonged regional war and would not necessarily lead to the return of the evacuated residents, a source familiar with the discussions told reporters. Hochstein reiterated US support for a diplomatic resolution through a Gaza ceasefire or another pathway.
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Netanyahu also met with Hochstein and emphasized that returning the 60,000 displaced northern residents to their homes would be impossible without a “fundamental change in the security situation.” Netanyahu acknowledged US support but stated that Israel would ultimately take whatever steps are necessary to ensure its security and return the residents safely.
Following the meetings, the security cabinet convened in Tel Aviv to address the rising tensions with Hezbollah and the possibility of returning evacuated Israelis to their homes. Meanwhile, rocket and drone attacks from Lebanon continued throughout Monday, causing damage but no injuries. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) retaliated by striking Hezbollah weapon depots and other sites in southern Lebanon, killing at least one Hezbollah operative.
Hezbollah, which began attacking Israel in support of Hamas shortly after the October 7 massacre in southern Israel, has stated it will cease fire only when the war in Gaza ends. Many Israelis fear that as long as Hezbollah forces operate near the border, the north will remain under threat. The situation remains volatile, with Israeli fighter jets carrying out strikes on Hezbollah targets in multiple locations across southern Lebanon.
