Israel remains resilient, surrounded by adversaries, as it continues its military efforts. On Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Israeli forces are nearing the completion of their mission in Gaza and will soon shift focus to the northern border with Lebanon.
“The center of gravity is moving northward. We are close to completing our tasks in the south, but our mission is not yet finished,” Gallant said in a video address to troops stationed on Israel’s northern border, shared by his office.
Since the outbreak of the war with Hamas, Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group, has been engaging in daily skirmishes with Israel, leading to the displacement of thousands of residents along both sides of the border.
Gallant emphasized that once the Gaza conflict concludes, Israeli troops will be redeployed to the northern border to restore stability and allow citizens to return to their homes. He added that while Israeli leaders would prefer to resolve the border dispute through a diplomatic agreement, Hezbollah remains steadfast in its refusal to cease hostilities until the war in Gaza is over.
In separate remarks to journalists on Tuesday, Gallant reiterated Israel’s readiness to act. “While we seek an agreement, I have directed the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) to prepare for every scenario, including focusing on the northern front. We are committed to altering the security situation there and ensuring the safe return of our citizens,” he said.
Gallant made these comments during a ground combat drill, as his office reported. Reflecting on Israel’s ground operations in Gaza, which began three weeks after the Hamas attack on October 7, Gallant said, “The instructions you are waiting for today are the same ones I gave in the south, where I witnessed our forces in action.”
Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported the killing of a Hezbollah commander from the elite Radwan force on Tuesday. While Hezbollah confirmed his death, the group did not disclose his role. In retaliation, Hezbollah launched rockets targeting Israeli army positions across the border.
