Netanyahu expands war goals to address growing Hezbollah threat on Lebanon border

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his government’s war objectives in Gaza have now expanded to include securing the return of Israelis who fled areas near the Lebanon border.

The region has seen near-daily cross-border fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group, since Israel’s war on Gaza began almost a year ago.

Netanyahu’s decision, made in an overnight security cabinet meeting, aims at “the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes,” according to a statement from his office. The ongoing conflict has displaced tens of thousands on both sides and raised the risk of a wider regional war.

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This strategic shift follows comments by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who told a visiting U.S. envoy that “military action” is the only path to ensuring the safe return of northern Israeli communities. Gallant further warned that “time was running out” as Hezbollah escalates its involvement by linking itself more closely to Hamas.

Despite claims from Hezbollah that it would stand down if a Gaza ceasefire is reached, Netanyahu remains cautious. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to address the ceasefire and broader regional security when he meets with Egyptian officials later today. Meanwhile, Netanyahu has rejected U.S. assessments that a ceasefire agreement is nearly complete, continuing to insist on an Israeli military presence at the Egypt-Gaza border.

As Hezbollah intensifies attacks, Israeli forces struck several Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Monday. Gallant emphasized to U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein that the window for peace is shrinking as Hezbollah becomes further entangled in the conflict with Hamas. Netanyahu added that a “fundamental change” in Israel’s northern security situation is essential.

Hezbollah’s deputy chief, Naim Qassem, stated over the weekend that while the group has “no intention of going to war,” if Israel “unleashes” a conflict, “there will be large losses on both sides.” The stakes continue to rise as both Israel and Hezbollah brace for potential escalation.