Israeli Defense Minister Gallant: Our Mission In The North Is Clear, Returning The Community To Their Homes

JAKARTA - Israel's Defense Minister on Thursday called for an expansion of the war's goal in Gaza, to allow residents to return to settlements in northern Israel that had been evacuated due to the Iran-backed Hezbollah attack in Lebanon.

"Our mission at the north front is clear, to ensure the safe return of the northern community to their homes. To achieve this goal, we must expand the purpose of war, and including the return of the northern Israelis safely to their homes," Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said. August 30.

"This will not reduce our absolute commitment to destroying Hamas and returning the hostages," Defense Minister Gallant added, according to a statement from his office.

The attack of the Palestinian militant group led by Hamas on October 7, 2023, on southern Israel sparked war in the Gaza Strip.

The Hezbollah militant group opened a second front against Israel a day later and fighting on the Israeli-Lebanon border has escalated since then, threatening to trigger regional conflict.

As a result, many border towns in northern Israel were evacuated and residents have not returned.

Defense Minister Gallant, in a meeting with top military officials, reviewed Israel's achievements so far in Gaza, where the goal was to overthrow the Hamas group and return Israeli hostages.

He said he would bring a proposal to include the goal of returning citizens to northern Israel to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the cabinet.