Israel Expands War Efforts to Northern Border Amid Stalled Ceasefire Talks

Israel announced on Tuesday that it is expanding its war efforts, shifting focus from its nearly year-long campaign against Hamas in Gaza to also address Hezbollah along its northern border with Lebanon.

This comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to return to the region later this week to attempt to revive stalled ceasefire negotiations for the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

Previously, Israel’s objectives were primarily centred on crushing Hamas and securing the return of hostages taken by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attacks, which triggered the ongoing war.

While the war has primarily concentrated on Gaza, the continuous exchanges of fire between Israeli troops and Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas in Lebanon, have displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border.

“The political-security cabinet updated the war aims this evening, adding a new goal: the safe return of the northern residents to their homes,” a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Tuesday.

Although the conflict with Hezbollah has not been officially declared as a war, the exchanges of fire have resulted in the deaths of hundreds, mostly fighters in Lebanon, as well as dozens of civilians and soldiers in Israel.

On Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant remarked that “military action” was now the only means to ensure the safe return of Israel’s northern communities.

Hezbollah, which like Hamas is backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for a dozen attacks on Israeli positions on Monday and three more on Tuesday. An Israeli airstrike on Tuesday killed three people in Lebanon, whom Israel identified as Hezbollah members, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

Israeli Defence Minister Gallant noted that the chances of reaching an agreement were diminishing as Hezbollah continues to align itself with Hamas. He conveyed this to visiting US envoy Amos Hochstein, as per a statement from his office.

Later, Netanyahu told Hochstein that he was seeking a “fundamental change” in the security dynamics on Israel’s northern border.

Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, stated over the weekend that while the group had “no intention of going to war”, any full-scale conflict would result in “large losses on both sides.”

Without a ceasefire in Gaza, experts say an agreement on the Lebanon border issue is unlikely. Michael Horowitz, of the security consultancy Le Beck International, suggested that Israel’s strategy in expanding the conflict may be aimed at establishing a “buffer zone” in southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Hamas stated that it is prepared for a prolonged war, bolstered by support from fighters across the region. In a message to the group’s Yemeni allies, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar said: “We are ready for a long war of attrition, and together with you, we will defeat the enemy

Although months of mediated talks have yet to produce a ceasefire agreement, the United States continues to push for a resolution. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller noted that Washington is working on a new proposal to bridge the remaining gaps.

Blinken is expected to discuss efforts to secure a ceasefire during his upcoming visit to Egypt. His discussions will focus on a deal that ensures the release of hostages, alleviates Palestinian suffering, and contributes to broader regional security.

US officials have expressed increasing frustration with Netanyahu, who has publicly rejected American assessments that a ceasefire deal is nearing completion. Netanyahu has insisted on maintaining an Israeli military presence on the Egypt-Gaza border, despite mounting pressure.

The October 7 attack by Palestinian militants, which triggered the war, resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people in southern Israel, according to official Israeli figures. Militants also took 251 hostages, 97 of whom remain captive in Gaza, including 33 who the Israeli military believes are dead.

Israel’s military response has killed at least 41,252 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which has not provided a breakdown of civilian and militant casualties.

On Tuesday, UN member states debated a draft resolution demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of all Palestinian territories within 12 months. Although General Assembly resolutions are non-binding, Israel has already condemned the proposal as “disgraceful.”

In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes continued overnight, with at least seven people killed, according to local rescuers.

“This war has destroyed our lives in every possible way—mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally,” said Ola Halilo, a 32-year-old Gazan woman living in a makeshift camp for displaced persons. “It has separated us from our loved ones and destroyed everything beautiful in our lives.”

AFP.