Situation in northern Israel ‘will not continue,’ Netanyahu stresses as US resumes diplomatic efforts

Reports: PM considers firing DM Gallant over reluctance to back offensive

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“The current situation will not continue,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday, following a weekend during which residents of northern Israel once again spent extended periods in their bunkers under intense rocket fire from Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.

At the start of a government meeting and ahead of the planned visit of U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, Netanyahu stated: “I have visited the north. I am attentive to the residents of the north. I speak with them and with the heads of local authorities in the north, I see their distress. I hear their anguish.”

Hochstein is leading the American efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict that was launched by Hezbollah in support of Hamas on Oct. 8 of last year. Since then, the terror group has carried out near-daily attacks, leading to the evacuation of some 80,000 Israeli residents living close to the border.

“The current situation will not continue,” Netanyahu vowed. “This requires a change in the balance of forces on our northern border. We will do whatever is necessary to return our residents securely to their homes.”

“I am committed to this. The government is committed to this and we will not suffice with less than this.”

In recent months, the Biden administration had hoped that a seemingly imminent hostage and truce deal in the Gaza Strip would enable a ceasefire in northern Israel.

However, now that the deal appears to be stuck, the U.S. has intensified efforts to prevent an all-out war between Hezbollah and Israel. Hochstein is expected to arrive on Monday and will meet with Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

In recent weeks, tensions between the two Israeli leaders have reportedly reached another low point over discussions of how to solve the situation in northern Israel, with Netanyahu considering firing Gallant over the issue, according to local media reports.

Israeli media states that Gallant supports the position of IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, who favors investing more time in diplomatic efforts and is opposed to launching a large-scale ground operation in Lebanon at this time.

Netanyahu appears to back IDF Northern Command head Maj.-Gen. Uri Gordin, who is reportedly pushing for an Israeli offensive to end the threat by Hezbollah.

Gallant also spoke with U.S. Defense Secretary Llyod Austin during the night, telling him that “the possibility for an agreed framework is running out, as Hezbollah continues to “tie itself” to Hamas – the trajectory is clear.”

Apart from the situation in northern Israel, Netanyahu also commented on the ballistic missile strike launched by the Houthi terror group in Lebanon ahead of Sunday’s government meeting.

“We are in a multi-front campaign against Iran’s axis of evil, which is striving for our destruction. This morning, the Houthis launched a surface-to-surface missile from Yemen at our territory. They should know that we exact a high price for any attempt to attack us,” the prime minister said.

“Whoever needs a reminder of this, is invited to visit the port of Hodeidah. Whoever attacks us will not evade our strike. Hamas is already learning this through our determined action, which will bring about its destruction and the release of all of our hostages.”