Israel on Wednesday announced that the war has now moved to the “next phase”, indicating that the focus will now shift to the Northern borders to counter the threat from Lebanon-based outfit Hezbollah. The statement on the shift of focus from South to North comes after Tuesday’s series of blasts in Lebanon, for which Hezbollah has blamed Israel. So far Israel has not publicly commented on pager and walkie-talkie attacks. More than 30 people have been killed and thousands reported wounded in the two days of mysterious attacks in Lebanon.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF chief Herzi Halevi and other officials all issued statements suggesting a full-on war with Hezbollah on the Northern Borders.
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The IDF also announced Wednesday that it was redeploying its 98th Division to northern Israel, after months of operations in the Gaza Strip under the Southern Command.
“The center of gravity is moving north. We are diverting forces, resources, and energy toward the north,” Gallant said.
“I believe that we are at the onset of a new phase in this war, and we need to adapt,” Gallant added. “We will need consistency over time, this war requires great courage, determination, and perseverance.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu also vowed to ensure the return of the residents of north safely to their homes.
“I’ve already said, we will return residents of the north safely to their homes, and that is exactly what we will do,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Hezbollah has promised to retaliate after blaming Israel for detonating pagers on Tuesday. Lebanese Information Minister Ziad Makary condemned the detonation of the pagers – used by Hezbollah and others in Lebanon to communicate – as an “Israeli aggression”. Hezbollah said Israel would receive “its fair punishment” for the blasts.
