Tel Aviv [Israel], September 17: On September 17, Israel added a new objective to its military campaign in the Gaza Strip: to return people displaced by Hezbollah attacks to communities in northern Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the decision to add the target was approved at a meeting of the security cabinet last night, according to Reuters.
A Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, sparked the war in the Gaza Strip . Hezbollah opened a second front against Israel a day later, and fighting across the Israel-Lebanon border has since escalated, threatening to spark a regional conflict.
Tens of thousands of Israelis have been evacuated from towns along the northern border with Lebanon and are still unable to return.
Israel's initial goals for its operation in the Gaza Strip were to destroy Hamas' military and administrative capabilities, return all hostages, and ensure that Gaza no longer posed a threat to Israel.
The fourth target was added as Israel threatened another major operation to push Hezbollah further away from the border, while mediators were trying to negotiate a deal to end the fighting.
On September 16, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said: "The possibility of reaching an agreement is gradually being exhausted because Hezbollah continues to 'align' with Hamas and refuses to end the conflict. Therefore, the only way left to ensure that northern communities of Israel can return to their homes will be through military action."
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Egypt on September 17 to discuss a ceasefire and the release of hostages, Reuters reported, citing a US State Department announcement.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
