Following the explosions in Lebanon, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has announced a “new phase” of the war.
The focus is on the “northern front,” several Israeli media reported Wednesday, citing Gallant’s office.
The Israeli army and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia have been engaged in clashes on Israel’s northern front for months.
According to Gallant, quoted by Israeli media, troops and resources will be moved north.
The online newspaper The Times of Israel quoted Gallant as saying that Israel’s war goals in the north “are clear and simple: to return the residents of the northern cities safely to their homes.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised this again in a video speech.
According to Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, the Israeli army is ready to do whatever it takes to create the conditions for this. “We still have many capabilities that we have not yet used,” the general claimed.
“We have not forgotten the hostages and we have not forgotten our tasks in the south,” Gallant also stressed.
“This is our duty and we are carrying it out at the same time,” Gallant added.
Since the Gaza war began almost a year ago, there have been almost daily clashes between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, forcing tens of thousands of people on both sides to flee their homes.
Hezbollah, which is linked to the Palestinian militant Hamas movement, has said it will not silence its guns until a ceasefire is reached in the Gaza Strip.
At least nine people were killed and more than 300 injured in fresh explosions of electronic devices in Lebanon on Wednesday, according to official reports.
Hezbollah and Iran blame Israel for the alleged coordinated attack on hundreds of radio receivers. Israel has not officially commented on the matter.