Defence minister protests, Hezbollah’s assaults, and US alerts Turbulent times in Israel

At least a thousand people have taken to the streets of Tel Aviv in protest over rumours suggesting the imminent resignation of Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

Reports from Israeli media indicate that demonstrators gathered outside the home of Israeli politician Gideon Saar, who is speculated to be a potential candidate for replacing Galant, Caliber.Az reports.

Gideon Saar, a former ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from the Likud Party, now serves as the chairman of the New Hope political platform. His name has emerged in the rumours surrounding the possible shake-up in the defence ministry, stirring public unrest. 

As the political uncertainty looms, tensions on Israel's northern border with Lebanon have escalated. Hezbollah, the Shiite militia group, launched multiple rockets targeting an Israeli army barracks in Ramot Naftali, a town just 4 kilometres from the Lebanese border in Western Galilee. The militia's statement, posted on its Telegram channel, claimed that the mortar fire hit Israeli forces stationed at the military facility, resulting in equipment being damaged and casualties among Israeli personnel.

Earlier strikes by Hezbollah had targeted Israeli military positions in the settlements of Matat and Ramim, although details of those impacts were not reported. The militia indicated that its attacks were retaliatory in nature, responding to aggressive Israeli military actions on the Lebanese settlements of Al-Teibi and Al-Edeisa, where civilians were injured. The exchange of fire has intensified fears of a broader conflict in the region.

Amid the rising hostilities, US Special Envoy for Lebanon Amos Hochstein has issued a warning to Prime Minister Netanyahu, urging restraint. Hochstein cautioned the Israeli leader against launching a full-scale war with Lebanon, stating that such an escalation could lead to a prolonged and widespread regional conflict. Washington, Hochstein noted, does not believe that a wider war would serve the goal of allowing displaced Israelis in the north to return to their homes. He emphasized that a diplomatic resolution is the preferred path for the US, whether through the release of hostages in Gaza and a ceasefire agreement or as a separate initiative.

However, Israeli officials expressed scepticism about the viability of diplomacy. In a statement, Netanyahu reportedly told Hochstein that without a significant change in the security situation along the northern border with Lebanon, the return of displaced Israelis would be impossible. Defence Minister Yoav Galant, whose position remains under speculation, also declared that the chances for a diplomatic solution had been "exhausted," pointing to Hezbollah's continued alliance with Hamas and its refusal to end hostilities.

In response to these developments, Israel's security cabinet convened on September 10 and voted to update the objectives of its ongoing war against Hamas. The revised goals now include securing the safe return of Israelis displaced from the northern border. The Prime Minister's Office reaffirmed Israel's commitment to achieving this outcome, stating, "Israel will continue to act to achieve this goal."

As the political drama surrounding Galant’s potential resignation unfolds, Israel remains embroiled in both internal and external challenges, with the prospect of further military escalation on the horizon.