Ending Gaza war would strengthen Hezbollah against 'Israel': Gallant

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
24 Jan 2024 02:28
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The Israeli Minister of Security cautions against ending the war in Gaza before "completely dismantling Hamas."

Israel Minister of Security Yoav Gallant makes a joint statement with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, in "Tel Aviv", on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. (AP photo)

In a meeting Tuesday with the heads of local authorities in Israeli settlements in northern occupied Palestine, Israeli Minister of Security Yoav Gallant warned that announcing a date for the return of settlers to the north will play into the hands of Hezbollah, pointing out that it is more advisable to leave that unclear, Israeli media reported.

According to Israeli Channel 11, Gallant cautioned during the meeting against ending the war in Gaza before "completely dismantling Hamas," and believed that it would strengthen Hezbollah against "Israel".

The Israeli Cabinet refrained from specifying a "final date" for a political solution in the north, while informed sources mentioned that Netanyahu and Gallant requested that ambiguity be adopted in this regard.

Channel 11 reported that Confrontation Line Forum Chair Moshe Davidovich asked Netanyahu for answers regarding the situation of the northern settlers but did not receive any.

In a related context, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that nearly 80,000 settlers living near the Lebanese border evacuated the area since the beginning of the war, highlighting that 4 out of 10 who were evacuated will not return.

'Israel' has no good options ahead: Israeli media

Israeli media warned on Tuesday that the occupation entity is witnessing an unprecedented period and that the situation on the northern front is "extremely dangerous" and the internal front is under imminent threat.

"Hezbollah entered the Gaza war just one day after the events of October 7 last year, and today when Israel proposed a ceasefire deal for two months in Gaza, Hamas rejected the proposal," the Israeli Channel 12 said.

According to the media outlet, this deal could offer Hezbollah a way out without repercussions despite all the party's previous operations, "because there will be a permanent deal during those two months."

On the other hand, if a deal is not reached, "there will be no peace, and the war will continue. If there is no peace, Israel will have very limited options for the future," the news broadcaster continued.

Last Saturday, The Washington Post reported that the Israeli occupation is allegedly considering launching an attack on Lebanon in the following two weeks in case a political agreement is not reached regarding Hezbollah's presence near the Lebanon-Palestine border.

Citing Western and Lebanese officials, the newspaper reported that Israelis informed Washington last December that it would have "no other option" but to carry out a military aggression against Lebanon if a diplomatic agreement is not reached that would allow the entity's settlers to return to the north.

Addressing recent Israeli forces claims that it is ready for a war with Hezbollah, Channel 12 said that while the army made such claims, there is no infrastructure to protect settlers in the north.

It pointed out that the head of the "Shlomi" settlement council in northern occupied Palestine requested earlier for 1,000 fortified rooms, but only 40 fortified rooms were built. This simple matter has not been accomplished, raising questions today about "Israel's" ability to engage in a prolonged, large-scale war against the Resistance in Lebanon.