Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant, during a tour of northern Israel on Tuesday, announced that the Israeli army "operates in Damascus and Beirut," hoping to reach an agreement that would allow evacuated Israeli citizens to return to their homes. This statement was made according to a press release from the Israeli Ministry of Defense, which noted that Gallant's remarks came during a "visit to an air base" in northern Israel.
According to the statement, "the Security Minister was briefed on the routine and emergency operations of the system and also reviewed the aerial surveillance capabilities to detect various threats." In a conversation with soldiers from the Israeli air defense system, Gallant stated: "I have great respect for what you are doing. I came here, to the detection, control, and interception system, to get a direct impression and see things firsthand."
He added: "We are at war in the south (the war on Gaza), and our eyes are open, and this eye looks back to the north (the escalating confrontation with Hezbollah)." Gallant mentioned that "the equations that Hezbollah thought it established have collapsed when the Israeli Air Force and the army decided to attack in Damascus, in Beirut, in Sidon, in Nabatieh, and everywhere; they are carrying out this work, and there is no equation that stands in their way."
He continued: "I hope there will not be more difficult days, and that we will remain committed to eventually reaching a consensual path, and we will return the residents to their homes, but if there are difficult days; you know what to do."
