Israeli Prime Minister Predicts New Phase in Gaza War, Potential Conflict with Hezbollah
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced the upcoming shift in the Gaza war, indicating a potential new conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
After months of intense conflict in the Gaza Strip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that the war is entering a new phase. Speaking in a television interview on Sunday, he stated, “The intense stage of the war with Hamas is about to end,” clarifying that while the war itself is not ending, the intense phase is drawing to a close.
Despite Netanyahu’s remarks, he emphasized that a cease-fire in Gaza is not imminent. He also raised the prospect of a future conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, an ally of Hamas. He mentioned plans to redeploy some Israeli forces to the north after withdrawing troops from Gaza, suggesting a potential shift in focus to Lebanon.
Avoiding Major Ground Invasions
While Netanyahu refrained from announcing an invasion of Lebanon, he left the possibility of a diplomatic resolution open. Acknowledging the potential for significant losses in the event of an invasion, he hinted at a willingness to pursue a diplomatic solution with Hezbollah. Furthermore, he indicated that Israel would not seek to mount major ground invasions of central Gaza following the conclusion of the current military operation in Rafah, the southernmost city in the territory.
Amid the uncertainty surrounding a diplomatic solution in Gaza, the stability of Netanyahu’s coalition is at stake. If Israel were to halt its operations in Gaza without removing Hamas from power, it could lead to the collapse of his coalition government. This underscores the complexities and challenges involved in seeking a resolution to the conflict.
Share news