Defense Minister Yoav Gallant concluded a strategic thinking discussion with the Chief of Staff and senior security officials and stated that the war objectives should be expanded to facilitate the return of northern residents to their homes. The focus was on the need to broaden the war objectives for the return of northern residents after changes in the security situation, while maintaining Israel’s absolute commitment to dismantling Hamas and returning the hostages.
At the beginning of the discussion, Gallant said: "In the past 11 months, we have been attacked from seven different fronts and have acted against these fronts. In Gaza, most of Hamas’s brigades and battalions have been defeated, the head of the military wing, Muhammad Deif, was eliminated, and a long list of terrorists was neutralized."
He continued: "The military achievement the IDF has made in the Gaza Strip allows for the return of most residents to their homes in the Gaza Envelope, has created conditions for the return of a large number of hostages, and establishes the conditions to bring back more hostages."
Gallant addressed threats from other fronts and said: "At this time, we are also at war against additional forces. We are fighting against Iran, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. A month ago, the IDF eliminated Hezbollah's chief of staff – Moghissen. At the beginning of the week, the IDF removed the threat of a heavy attack against residents of the north and center." At this point, the Defense Minister requested to include an additional objective in the war: "But our mission on the northern front is clear – to securely return the northern residents to their homes. To achieve this goal, we need to expand the war objectives and include the return of the northern residents to their homes securely. This move will not diminish our absolute commitment to dismantling Hamas and returning the hostages. We will present this proposal, once we finalize it here, to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet."
Netanyahu's associates responded: "It's self-evident. Prime Minister Netanyahu has stated this many times in recent months." Chairman of the National Camp, Benny Gantz, reacted to Defense Minister Gallant’s intention to include the return of northern residents to their homes in the war objectives: "Better late than never. It’s time for the north."
