The Israeli defense minister stated that only military action can restore residents to their homes amid the threat from Hezbollah.

Israel is engaged in a "multi-front campaign" against the "axis of evil" led by Iran, according to Netanyahu.

The Israeli defense minister stated that only military action can restore residents to their homes amid the threat from Hezbollah.
The Israeli defense minister stated that only military action can restore residents to their homes amid the threat from Hezbollah.

On Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant advised President Biden's top adviser that the "only way" to secure the safe return of Israeli citizens to their homes in the north was through "military action" against Hezbollah.

Amos Hochstein, the U.S. envoy, met with Gallant and Netanyahu to prevent a broader conflict between Israel and Iran-backed terrorist groups.

Officials from Israel remained firm in their stance on dealing with Hamas in the south and Hezbollah in the north, and emphasized the urgency of reaching a cease-fire agreement to end the conflict in Gaza, as Hezbollah continues to link itself to Hamas.

Hochstein Gallant Israel
Amos Hochstein, left, senior adviser to President Biden, meets with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during his visit in Tel Aviv, Israel on Sept. 16, 2024. (Ariel Hermoni/IMoD/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Gallant conveyed to Hochstein that Jerusalem must enhance its security on the northern frontier, without specifying the specifics.

Hezbollah, already better financed and armed than other Iranian proxy forces, poses a greater threat to Jerusalem along its northern border, according to Israeli security experts who have been warning for months.

Following the catastrophic attacks by Hamas in the south on Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli citizens in the north fled their homes, fearing a similar attack by Hezbollah.

Government officials have enforced additional evacuations along the northern border due to ongoing cross-border skirmishes between Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah.

Injured man in Israel
Israeli soldiers evacuate an injured man following a cross-border attack from Lebanon into Israel, Sept. 1, 2024. (Reuters/Ayal Margolin)

The number of Israeli residents displaced due to the war against Hamas is uncertain, but some estimates suggest it could be up to 80,000.

Netanyahu stated that Israel is engaged in a multi-pronged effort to counter Iran's efforts to bring about our destruction, following Houthi and Hezbollah missile attacks on Sunday. He emphasized his concern for the people living in the north.

He stated, "I perceive their suffering and their torment. The present state will not persist. This necessitates a shift in the equilibrium of forces on our northern frontier. We will undertake whatever measures are required to safely relocate our citizens back to their homes."

Netanyahu warned that he is fully committed to this and so is the government, and we will not accept anything less.

Despite pressure from the Biden administration, Israeli officials have become more resistant to a cease-fire agreement with Hamas and maintain that no deal can be reached unless all hostages are returned.

Lebanon strikes
An explosion takes place as Israeli strikes hit southern Lebanon, as seen from Zibqin, Lebanon, Aug. 25, 2024. (Reuters TV via Reuters)

The Philadelphi Corridor in Gaza, which borders Egypt, is a major security concern that cannot be compromised for a cease-fire, as Netanyahu has stated.

After the Monday meeting between Netanyahu and Hochstein, the prime minister stated that Israel values and esteems the backing of the United States. However, he also emphasized that Jerusalem will take all necessary measures to ensure its safety and enable the return of the residents of the north to their homes securely.

Planet Chronicle' Yonat Friling contributed to this article.

by Caitlin McFall

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