Israeli defense chief announces new phase in conflict against Hezbollah

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant announced on Wednesday evening that a "new phase of war" has begun, with troops being moved to the north of the country, where exchanges of fire with Lebanese Hezbollah have been ongoing for a year. Chief of General Staff Gen. Herzi Halevi added that Israel still has "many more capabilities" that can be used against Hezbollah.

"The center of gravity is moving north. We are diverting forces, resources, and energy toward the north (...), I believe that we are at the onset of a new phase in this war, and we need to adapt," said Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

He emphasized that Israel's war goal in the north is "clear and simple: to return the residents of the towns in the north to their homes safely."

"I’ve already said we will return residents of the north safely to their homes, and that is exactly what we will do," also stated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday evening. He did not address the issue of mass explosions of electronic devices in Lebanon.

Since the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip in October 2023, Iran-backed Hezbollah has regularly shelled northern Israel, which has been met with counterattacks. Mutual shelling has led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of civilians from both sides' borders. In recent days, the situation has escalated further.

On Monday, the Israeli government recognized halting Hezbollah's attacks in the north of the country and enabling the return of tens of thousands of evacuees as the official war goal.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, a series of coordinated explosions of electronic devices occurred in Lebanon. At least 21 people were killed, and over 3,000 were injured.

Among the victims are Hezbollah members, who accused Israel of the attack and promised retaliation. Western media reported on Wednesday, citing sources, that Israeli services were behind Tuesday's operation, placing small explosive charges in pagers before the devices were sent to Lebanon. Authorities in Jerusalem have so far not officially commented on these reports.

Recognized by the West as a terrorist organization, Hezbollah is the most prominent political force in Lebanon. It also has significant military potential and is considered the strongest non-state army in the world. Declaring the desire to destroy Israel, Hezbollah has been engaged in regular skirmishes with the state for decades, which in 2006 turned into an open war. Since the fall, over 600 people, mostly Hezbollah fighters, have been killed in airstrikes on Lebanon, and dozens of Israeli civilians and soldiers have died in Hezbollah attacks on Israel.