Israeli Security Cabinet expected to define return of northern residents as war goal

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The Israeli government’s main goals for the ongoing Gaza War have been the return of the remaining Israeli hostages and defeating the Hamas terrorist organization as a military and political power. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to add "returning residents to the north" as an additional war goal. Netanyahu is expected to put the new motion to a vote on Sunday. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has also pushed for a solution to address the threat from the Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.

On Oct. 8, the day after Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel and massacred 1,200 Israelis, the Hezbollah terrorist organization began launching attacks on northern Israel with rockets and drones. Some 60,000 residents in northern Israel have been evacuated from their homes and are living in hotels and other temporary accommodations. Fearing an invasion from the north by Hezbollah terrorists, residents from the north have demanded the Israeli government eliminate the threat.

Israel’s initial focus in the war has been on neutralizing the Hamas terror threat in the south. However, the degradation of Hamas’ military capabilities has enabled Israeli political and military leaders to shift focus toward the northern front.

Hezbollah is widely considered more powerful than Hamas and is believed to have some 150,000 rockets and missiles that can reach any location within Israeli territory. Hezbollah also has a considerable arsenal of drones and a well-trained elite Radwan commando force.

In addition to calling for the return of Israeli residents to their homes, Netanyahu is also expected to ask the Israeli Security Cabinet and the Israeli military to prepare for a long and difficult war with Hezbollah.

During a visit to northern Israel in June, Netanyahu reassured northern Israeli residents that “we are prepared for very intense action in the north. One way or another, we will restore security.” However, three months later, the Hezbollah threat has continued.

Former War Cabinet Minister and National Unity Party Chairman Benny Gantz recently called for decisive action against Hezbollah in the north.

“The time for action in the North has come – if we do not reach a deal for the hostages within days or a few weeks, we will have to go to war in the North,” Gantz said during the MEAD Conference in Washington, D.C.

“We must ensure that residents can return to their homes. We can achieve this goal, even if it means damaging Lebanon itself. Unfortunately, I don’t see another way,” he added.

Gantz, who is also a former IDF chief, stressed that the Iranian regime that backs Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, is the root of the security threat that Israel faces.

“Hezbollah is certainly an operational threat, but we must focus on the root problem – Iran,” Gantz stated.