Jerusalem, Israel: Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has called for expanding the goals of the Gaza war to ensure the safe return of residents to northern Israel, where many towns were evacuated due to attacks by Hezbollah from Lebanon. Gallant emphasized the importance of securing these communities and plans to present this proposal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the cabinet. The conflict, initially sparked by Hamas' October 7 assault, has since escalated, with Hezbollah opening a second front, leading to widespread evacuations in northern Israel.

On the ground, Israeli airstrikes have intensified along the Lebanon border, targeting the town of Kfar Kila, where an entire neighborhood was destroyed. These strikes are seen as preemptive measures against potential Hezbollah retaliation for Israel's assassination of a top Hezbollah commander in July. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has launched multiple operations against Israeli military positions, including drone attacks, although no casualties were reported. The ongoing conflict has significantly impacted the region, with the head of the Metula Council reporting substantial damage to homes and concerns about the long-term return of residents.

The conflict's impact is profound, with local leaders expressing doubts about the return of displaced residents, especially in Metula, where schools will not open for the first time in 128 years due to the unrest. The resolution of this situation is seen as pivotal, with the possibility that a decisive strike against Hezbollah could encourage more residents to return. However, there is concern about the lasting social impact, with some predicting that a significant portion of the population may never return.