3 months ago
22
NEW DELHI: Israeli defence minister
Yoav Gallant
expressed concern to US defense secretary
Lloyd Austin
on Monday that the opportunity for a peaceful resolution to the impasse with the Iranian-supported group in southern Lebanon,
Hezbollah
, was diminishing.
Yoav Gallant told defense secretary Lloyd Austin that “the possibility for an agreed framework in the northern arena is running out as Hezbollah continues to “tie itself” to
Hamas
.
Gallant said that as long as Hezbollah maintained its alliance with the Islamist movement Hamas in Gaza, where Israeli forces have been involved in a nearly year-long conflict, the situation's “trajectory is clear.”
Gallant told Austin that “in any possible scenario,
Israel
’s defense establishment will continue to operate with the aim of dismantling Hamas and ensuring the return of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza — by any means.”
After the outbreak of war in Gaza, which was ignited by Hamas’ October 7 attack, Hezbollah began firing rockets and drones into northern Israel. Both armed groups are allied with Iran, and Hezbollah says it is acting in solidarity with the Palestinians.
Israel has responded to the attacks with airstrikes and the targeted killing of Hezbollah commanders. It has threatened a wider operation, raising fears of another all-out war.
Hezbollah has said it will halt its attacks if there is a cease-fire in Gaza, but months of repeated talks mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt have led to no avail.
Hamas has demanded a lasting cease-fire and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza as part of any agreement to release the scores of hostages it still holds from the October 7 attack.
At Least 10 people, including four women and two children were killed on Monday in a strike early that destroyed a home in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. In another strike in Gaza City, six people, including a woman and two children, lost their lives according to the Civil Defense, first responders who operate under the Hamas-run government.
Israel clarified that it only targets militants, while blaming Hamas and other armed groups for endangering civilians by operating in residential areas.
The Gaza health ministry said that since the first Hamas strike that triggered the war, nearly a year ago, over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed.
