'Israel' is at a multi-front war in north, south: Gantz

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
7 Nov 2023 23:35
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The Knesset member says that now is not the time for protests and investigations since its time to fight.

The Israeli Security Minister Benny Gantz then during a cabinet meeting in occupied Al-Quds on May 24, 2020 (AFP)

Israeli Knesset member Benny Gantz said on Tuesday that "Israel" is currently in a multi-front war in the north and the south, warning that applies to one of the borders must apply to the other in terms of urgency and equations.

Gantz, one of the prominent opposition figures to Netanyahu and a vocal critic of his judicial reform plans, who joined the war cabinet established over the aggression on Gaza, pledged to "do everything to forcefully and politically secure the return of the captives [in Gaza]."

He further assured "the residents of the north that they should be able to live" in security, however, he stressed that "there is a time for protests and investigations for everything, but now is the time for fighting and victory."

"The main focus is on Gaza, but we are fighting in defense and offense in the north and other areas."

Earlier today, former Education Minister Shai Piron said that "the contract between the state and its citizens has been violated" in light of the success of the Resistance operation.

"It doesn't matter if this is in the north or the south, Israelis do not trust their army and government ... and they are not convinced that what happened in the south [Gaza] won't happen to them in the north [Lebanon], even if they are provided with the best protection," he explained.

"There is a deep rift, more than just a security breach, and the current situation is a collapse of the fundamental contract between the state and its citizens."

Meanwhile, the commentator on Haredi affairs at Channel 12 noted that the responses received by Israeli settlers from the political leadership differ between the north and the south.

"In the south, we heard [Israeli Finance Minister] Smotrich saying they are investing in protection because they won't need protection. I don't know if the rest of the leadership agrees with this formula," Yair Cherki said.

"Regarding the north, there are more complex considerations and hesitation about managing a battle on two fronts. I hear different discussions in the cabinet; they talk about wide protection for northern towns, meaning that the rocket threat won't be lifted!"

Last Friday, Hezbollah Secretary-General, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, declared in a speech that the Lebanese Resistance is ready for any eventuality.

"All possibilities on our Lebanese front are open and all options are on the table, and we could resort to them at any time," he said, making a direct warning to the US that "if war breaks out in the region, neither your [US] fleets nor aerial forces will be of any use."

Reiterating this equation, Sheikh Naim Qassem, Hezbollah's Deputy Chief, warned on Tuesday of "serious consequences" should "Israel" escalate the scope of its aggressions.

In an interview with NBC News, he confirmed that Hezbollah participates "for the sake of lowering the pressure on Gaza. And for the sake of preventing Israel from achieving its objectives. In addition, as a clear message that if you expand there will be serious consequences."