Military action needed in Israel's north, Gallant tells US envoy

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu says situation cannot continue

From left, Amos Hochstein, US Envoy, meets with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant during his visit to Tel Aviv, Israel on Monday. Reuters

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Military action is the only way to get Israelis who have fled the northern area of the country to return, its Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told US Envoy Amos Hochstein on Monday at a meeting in Tel Aviv.

Thousands on both sides of Israel's border with Lebanon have left the area to avoid a barrage of missiles striking both sides as Israel and militant group Hezbollah increase tension amid the former's war in Gaza.

“Minister Gallant emphasised that the possibility for an agreement is running out as Hezbollah continues to 'tie itself' to Hamas, and refuses to end the conflict. Therefore, the only way left to ensure the return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes will be via military action,” the Israeli defence ministry said in a statement.

Mr Hochstein is also expected to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials to discuss tension with Lebanon, after which he will travel to Lebanon in a bid to ease the situation.

“We are trying to prevent the opening of a second front in northern Israel,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said ahead of the visit.

Mr Hochstein is expected to propose a slight redrawing of the map along the border between Israel and Lebanon, according to Israel's Kan public broadcaster.

His visit comes as Mr Gallant seemed to hint at further action in Lebanon, telling the US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin the possibility of a settlement with Hezbollah “is passing”.

“Hezbollah continues to tie itself to Hamas,” Israeli media quoted his office saying, adding the “direction is clear” and Israel must keep Hezbollah out of southern Lebanon.

However, reports in Israel suggest Mr Netanyahu may be set to replace Mr Gallant over disagreements on Lebanon.

Ori Gordin, the head of the army's northern command, is reportedly pushing for a full-scale attack on Lebanon, Kan and Channel 13 reported, while Mr Gallant and army chief Herzi Halevi are said to prefer diplomatic talks and attempts to reach a ceasefire deal with Hamas.

“If Gallant tries to thwart an operation in the north, he will be replaced,” an unnamed source told Kan. Other reports suggest that Mr Netanyahu is “keeping his cards close to his chest” about a war with Lebanon.

A source from the Prime Minister's office told Kan later that Mr Netanyahu was preparing to replace Mr Gallant, but denied reports that former justice minister Gideon Sa'ar would take his place.

Mr Sa'ar's appointment would be a “death sentence” for a hostage deal, relatives of Israeli captives said on Monday.

“The appointment of Sa'ar, who opposes every outline that has been proposed, including the Netanyahu outline, has one and only meaning, and it screams in bold letters – this is the signing of a death sentence for the hostages and the lawlessness of all in captivity,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.

The Israeli army and Lebanon's armed Hezbollah movement have traded fire across the disputed border since the day after Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza on October 7 against the Palestinian militant group Hamas, a Hezbollah ally.

Rocket and drone attacks by Hezbollah and air strikes and shelling by Israel have forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee areas near the border in northern Israel and southern Lebanon.

On Sunday, Mr Netanyahu said the situation in the north “cannot continue”, pledging “a change in the balance of forces on our northern border” during his weekly cabinet meeting.

Fears of all-out war between Israel and Lebanon peaked last month after Hezbollah vowed to retaliate for Israel's killing of its senior commander Fouad Shukr and Iran promised revenge for the assassination in Tehran of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh.

While an all-out war was avoided, Israeli officials have continued to hint at turning attention to Lebanon as the war in Gaza nears its first anniversary, while a senior EU official has said the “drums of war have not stopped pounding”.

Early this month, former war cabinet minister Benny Gantz said Israel needed to shift its military focus from Gaza to Lebanon, while an MP called for Mr Netanyahu to start a war in Lebanon “within days”.

On Sunday, leaflets were dropped over the southern Lebanese town of Wazzani, calling on residents to leave, reminiscent of warnings dropped over Gaza before Israeli bombardment and ground operations.

The leaflets read in Arabic: “To all residents and refugees living in the area of the camps, Hezbollah is firing from your region. You must immediately leave your homes and head north of the Khiam region before 4pm. Do not return to this area until the end of the war.”

It added: “Anyone present in this area after this time will be considered a terrorist.” The Israeli army, however, said the leaflets were unauthorised and an investigation had been opened.

Sirens sounded across northern Israel on Monday morning, hours after the army said several soldiers were wounded after two drones exploded near an outpost in the occupied Golan Heights.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon since last year have killed 623 people, including at least 141 civilians, according to an AFP tally, while Hezbollah’s assaults have killed 24 Israeli soldiers and 26 civilians.

While Mr Hochstein visits Israel, opposition leader Yair Lapid is expected in Washington to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, among others.

Mr Lapid has repeatedly called on the government to end the war in Gaza, where more than 41,200 Palestinians have been killed since October.

The latest Israeli strikes killed 18 people overnight into Monday morning, with 10 killed in a single strike on the Nuseirat refugee camp.