Hochstein in Israel to try and prevent northern war

US Middle East envoy Amos Hochstein is in Israel today (Monday) to try and talk to Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Yitzhak Herzog, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to prevent a possible broader war in the north.

Hochstein's visit comes amid rumors of Gideon Sa'ar's impending entry into the government, possibly as its Defense Minister. Sa'ar has recently taken a much more hawkish line on the question of how to win in Gaza and in the north compared to Gallant, who has tended to repeatedly emphasize the importance of a negotiated settlement first, as well as a hostage deal.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu has previously said during a security consultation that Israel is heading towards a broader war with Hezbollah to "this or that degree of intensity" and a source close to Netanyahu has said that a war is a matter of weeks to a few months.

Hochman is said to also possibly be heading to Lebanon, according to Naharnet.