'Israel' adds return of North settlers to war objectives
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Netanyahu's office stated that "Israel" will "continue to act to achieve this goal," adding the return of settlers in the North to their war objectives, none of which have been achieved so far.
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Fires and black smoke rising from between buildings in Metulla hit by Hezbollah shelling is seen from the Lebanese side of the Lebanese town of Marjayoun, Lebanon, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP)
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the security cabinet has revised its official objectives for the ongoing war, adding the "safe return" of northern settlers to their residences as a fourth goal, Israeli media reported on Tuesday.
The Israeli occupation entity "will continue to act to achieve this goal,” the statement said, triggering a series of official reactions to the potential that this means launching a war on Lebanon.
The other goals remain: bringing back the captives, "dismantling the military and governing" capabilities of Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas, and "ensuring Gaza will no local pose a threat to Israel" in the future. So far, none of these objectives have been achieved, with an increasing number of officials doubting their feasibility.
Read more: US envoy Hochstein tells 'Israel' not to risk 'costly' war in North
Directly following the start of the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, Hezbollah launched its support front in southern Lebanon, conducting daily operations against Israeli military bases, forces, and settlements.
Hezbollah's attacks forced tens of thousands of Israelis to flee northern settlements, creating a de facto "security belt" inside occupied Palestine.
Meanwhile, settlers have accused the Israeli government of "abandoning the North" following the occupation army's failure to halt Resistance operations. Tensions have escalated between Tel Aviv and the mayors of northern settlements, leading several mayors to announce they are "cutting ties" with both the government and the military.
Read more: Al Mayadeen report on Glilot & Ein Shemer strike 'accurate': Hezbollah
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid warned on Monday during a visit to the United States that "Hezbollah is destroying" the North, and as a result, "about 60,000 citizens in Israel ... have not lived in ... the North for almost a year."
"We have given a great deal of time for diplomatic activity, and we are close to the danger of a severe war that will threaten large parts of Israel. Anyone who is able to prevent it must invest every effort in doing so," Lapid told US officials.
In "Israel," local media and officials reported that Netanyahu is planning on replacing his Security Minister Yoav Gallant with Knesset member Gideon Sa'ar, who, according to the prime minister, "is more assertive" about dealing with the situation in the north as opposed to Gallant who has been opposed to expanding the war with Lebanon.
Read more: Sa'ar vs Gallant debate continues as Hezbollah sustains North pressure
The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon has repeatedly warned that a widescale Israeli attack on the country might trigger a regional war and that the group will fight it "without any limits or constraints".
