Gallant suggests 'expanding war goals' in north but still urges deal

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has presented the security cabinet with a document strongly advocating for a hostage-ceasefire deal and an addition to the war goals: the return of evacuees to their homes in northern Israel.

"Over the past 11 months, we have faced attacks from seven different fronts and responded effectively. In Gaza, we have defeated most of Hamas' brigades and battalions, including their military leader, Mohammad Deif, along with numerous other terrorists," Gallant noted, according to Israeli reports.

"The IDF's (Israeli army’s) military success in the Gaza Strip has enabled the return of many residents to their homes in the Gaza border communities. It has also created favorable conditions for the return of a significant number of abductees and is paving the way for the release of additional hostages," he continued.

Since Wednesday, Israel's negotiations team -- comprising representatives from the Mossad, the Israeli army and internal security agency Shin Bet -- has been in Doha for talks on the hostage-ceasefire deal.

"Currently, we are also engaged in conflicts with other forces, including Iran, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. A month ago, the IDF (Israeli army) eliminated Hezbollah's Chief of Staff, al-Hajj Mohsin (Fouad Shukur). Earlier this week, we neutralized a significant threat of a major attack against residents in the north and center," Gallant added, referring to Israel’s claims that it thwarted Hezbollah’s retaliatory attack over Shukur’s assassination, allegations that the Lebanese group has dismissed.

Gallant also emphasized the urgency of returning evacuated residents to their homes on Israel's northern borders. According to the Israeli parliament’s Research and Information Center, approximately 68,500 Israelis remain evacuated.

"Our mission on the northern front is clear: to ensure the safe return of northern residents to their homes. Achieving this objective requires broadening our war goals to include the secure return of these residents," Gallant said.

"This adjustment will not diminish our unwavering commitment to eradicating Hamas and securing the return of abductees. Once formulated, we will present this proposal to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet," Gallant added.

The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement shortly afterward, noting that the goal "goes without saying," and that "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already stated this many times in recent months."

Gallant’s document also presents Israel as standing at a “strategic crossroads.”

If Israel accepts and can finalize a ceasefire-hostage deal, this will not only achieve the return of the hostages but also enable a diplomatic arrangement to calm hostilities with Hezbollah across the northern border and prevent regional war, the document says.

A deal would also increase the likelihood that Iran would shelve plans to avenge the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month, it adds.

By contrast, Gallant’s document reportedly warns that if Israel does not move to strike a deal, it would be leaving the hostages in captivity and would face the danger of an “imminent deterioration into a multi-front war.”