Israeli cabinet adds goal of returning northern residents amid rising tensions, military preparations

Report by Amale Chehadeh, English adaptation by Nadine Sassine 

Inside the Israeli command shelter in Tel Aviv, and amid deep disagreements among its members that extended until 2 a.m. Tuesday, the Security Cabinet decided to add a new objective: the return of northern residents to their homes.

This decision was made during a meeting held as tensions rose on the front with Hezbollah and amid worsening relations with Washington following the failure of U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein's efforts to secure an Israeli pledge not to wage war on Lebanon—a stance the U.S. opposes and warns could have severe repercussions.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed Hochstein that the return of residents would not be possible without a substantial change in the security situation on the border with Lebanon. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, however, considered diplomatic solutions unfeasible and suggested that a broad military operation might be necessary to achieve this goal.

Security officials, in an extraordinary move, deemed the decision to wage war on Lebanon dangerous and likely to lead to a regional conflict that would also inflict damage on Israel.

They revealed part of the government's war plan, which includes bolstering the area with a large number of soldiers, completing the construction of the border wall, and resorting to escalating measures, including a ground invasion. The plan also aims to push Hezbollah northward and ensure that Lebanese border villages cannot fire at Israel.

At the same time, some politicians have dismissed the likelihood of Netanyahu deciding on a large-scale war due to the associated risks.

However, this dismissal has not prevented the army from continuing its preparations. It has formed a new battalion that includes naval soldiers who will train with ground forces in readiness for a potential ground incursion into Lebanon.

Additionally, the army has developed a plan named "Windbreaker," designed to prevent scenarios of infiltration and raids on northern towns.

This plan involves arming 97 alert cells deployed in the area and increasing 23 combat units in the Golan Heights, arming them for deployment along the border.

Israeli preparations have not slowed Washington’s efforts. Following the failure of Hochstein's talks, U.S. Central Command Deputy Commander Brad Cooper arrived in Tel Aviv to hold discussions with military officials, aiming to consolidate positions opposing an expanded war whose outcome and timing are unpredictable.