Israel Updates War Goals Amid Houthi Attacks

Israel's security cabinet has officially added the goal of halting Hezbollah's attacks and allowing displaced residents to return to their homes in the north as a war objective, signaling potential escalation in the conflict with Hezbollah. This decision comes amid near-daily exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah since Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023, which has displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border. The United States has urged Israel to exercise restraint, warning that a wider war would not achieve its goals. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized that military action might be necessary to ensure the safety of northern residents. Speculation continues about Netanyahu potentially replacing Gallant with a more hawkish defense minister to strengthen Israel's approach. Despite these moves, diplomatic efforts by U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein continue to seek de-escalation.