Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated on Thursday that Israel needs to broaden its objectives in the ongoing war in Gaza. This expansion would include ensuring the safe return of Israelis to their homes in the north, which were evacuated due to ongoing attacks from Lebanon.
During a strategic briefing and discussion with the IDF chief of the general staff and senior IDF officials, Gallant highlighted the importance of securing the northern front, emphasizing the goal of “ensuring the safe return of the northern communities to their homes.”
“To achieve this, we must widen the goals of this war,” Gallant declared, adding that he intends to bring this matter before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Cabinet.
Gallant assured that expanding Israel’s war aims “will not diminish our absolute commitment to dismantling Hamas and returning the hostages.”
Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel ignited the war in Gaza.
Hezbollah initiated a second front against Israel a day later, escalating fighting across the Israel-Lebanon border and threatening a regional conflict.
Many border towns in northern Israel were evacuated, and residents have yet to return to their homes.
At the meeting with top military officials, Gallant reviewed Israel’s accomplishments in Gaza, where the objective is to dismantle the Islamist group Hamas and return the hostages.
Reuters contributed to this report.