Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has urged the government to expand the objectives of the ongoing war in Gaza to include the safe return of residents to northern Israel.
The call comes amid continued attacks from Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group based in Lebanon, which has escalated tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border.
In a strategic briefing with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of the general staff and senior military officials, Gallant emphasized that Israel’s mission on the northern front is to secure the return of the evacuated communities. “In order to achieve this, we must widen the goals of this war,” Gallant stated, noting that he will present this proposal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Cabinet.
Gallant assured that this expanded focus would not undermine Israel’s primary objective of dismantling Hamas and securing the release of hostages taken during the October 7 attack on southern Israel by the militant group. The attack by Hamas, which triggered the current conflict in Gaza, was followed by Hezbollah opening a second front, leading to heavy fighting across the northern border.
