In a meeting with a top adviser to President Biden, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that “military action” against Hezbollah was necessary to safely return Israeli citizens to their northern homes. U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein met with both Gallant and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent a broader conflict between Israel and Iran-backed terrorist groups. Israeli officials emphasized the need to control Hamas in the south and Hezbollah in the north, as the time to secure a cease-fire agreement in Gaza was running out due to Hezbollah’s affiliation with Hamas.
Israeli security experts have been sounding the alarm about the growing threat posed by Hezbollah along Israel’s northern border, with the terrorist group receiving significant financial backing and military equipment from Iran. Following attacks by Hamas in the south in October 2023, Israeli citizens evacuated their homes in the north out of fear of similar attacks by Hezbollah. Evacuations have been ongoing along the northern border as Israel Defense Forces (IDF) engage in clashes with Hezbollah forces.
It is unclear how many Israeli residents have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict with Hamas, with estimates suggesting the number could be as high as 80,000. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized the need to address security concerns and change the balance of forces on the northern border to ensure the safe return of residents to their homes. Israeli officials have shown resistance to a cease-fire deal with Hamas without the return of all hostages, rejecting pressure from the Biden administration.
Netanyahu highlighted major security concerns, such as the presence of Israeli forces in the Philadelphi Corridor in Gaza, which runs along the border with Egypt, as non-negotiable factors for a cease-fire. Following the meeting between Netanyahu and Hochstein, Israel reiterated its commitment to maintaining its security and returning northern residents safely to their homes, with appreciation for the United States’ support. Israeli officials stressed the need for military action against Hezbollah to change the security situation on the northern border and protect Israeli citizens.
The Israeli government is engaged in a multi-front campaign against Iran’s proxies, which threaten the country’s destruction. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel will take whatever measures necessary to secure its borders and protect its citizens. Israeli officials have emphasized the importance of addressing the Hezbollah threat along the northern border and have rejected calls for a cease-fire deal with Hamas that does not include the return of all hostages. Netanyahu’s government is committed to ensuring the safety of Israeli residents and maintaining the country’s security in the face of ongoing threats from Iran-backed terrorist groups.
