Israel declares halting Hezbollah attacks primary war goal
- In Reports
- 04:56 PM, Sep 17, 2024
- Myind Staff
Israel announced on Tuesday that stopping Hezbollah's near-daily attacks in the north to allow residents to return home is now an official war goal. This development comes as the country considers a broader military operation, which could trigger an all-out conflict. The decision marks a shift in Israel's approach as tensions with Hezbollah escalate.
Israeli officials have repeatedly warned of stronger military action to end the strikes, which began shortly after the outbreak of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. In response, Israel has launched airstrikes, targeting and killing senior Hezbollah commanders. Just last month, a full-scale war seemed imminent.
The tit-for-tat violence has displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border. Hezbollah has stated it would cease attacks if a Gaza cease-fire is reached, but those negotiations have stalled repeatedly. Meanwhile, the United States has urged restraint, even as it continues to provide military aid to Israel, cautioning that a broader war would not achieve Israel's objectives.
Israeli media reports suggest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering replacing Defence Minister Yoav Gallant with a more hawkish politician, which would be the largest leadership change in Israel since Hamas' attack on October 7 that triggered the war.
The announcement regarding Hezbollah came after Israel's security Cabinet met late into the night. The Cabinet “updated the objectives of the war," with the aim of enabling residents in the north to safely return home. “Israel will continue to act to implement this objective,” it said in a statement.
US envoy Amos Hochstein, who has made multiple visits to Lebanon and Israel to ease tensions, met with Netanyahu on Monday. According to a US official speaking on condition of anonymity, Hochstein warned Netanyahu that escalating the conflict with Hezbollah would not help achieve the goal of returning Israelis to their homes. He also emphasised that the Biden administration remains committed to finding a diplomatic solution, with or without a Gaza cease-fire.
Netanyahu responded that a “fundamental change in the security situation in the north” is necessary before residents can return. While Netanyahu “appreciates and respects” US support, he said Israel would “do what is necessary to safeguard its security,” according to a statement from his office.
Defence Minister Gallant also indicated that the conflict is shifting focus from Gaza to Israel's northern border. During a conversation with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, Gallant warned that time is running out for an agreement with Hezbollah, saying “the trajectory is clear.”
Hezbollah, meanwhile, has stated that while it does not seek a wider war, it is prepared for one. Raed Berro, a member of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, said the group “is ready for confrontation and has a lot in its pocket to deter the enemy and protect Lebanon in case Netanyahu thinks of expanding the war.”
The Israel-Hamas war began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has since killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which states that over half of the casualties are women and children. The ongoing bombardment has devastated much of Gaza, displacing around 90% of its 2.3 million residents.
Iran, a key supporter of both Hamas and Hezbollah, has backed strikes on Israeli and US targets in the region. A missile launched by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Sunday triggered air raid sirens in central Israel, although no casualties were reported. Israel has suggested it may respond militarily.
The war has further strained relations between Israel and Iran, who exchanged direct fire in April. Iran has vowed to avenge the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in an explosion in Tehran, an act widely blamed on Israel.
The US, alongside Qatar and Egypt, has been involved in efforts to broker an agreement, which would see Hamas release hostages in exchange for a cease-fire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners. While President Joe Biden endorsed the framework in May, the talks have stalled, with both Israel and Hamas accusing each other of making unacceptable
Image source: Economic Times
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