Yedioth Ahronoth published a report revealing details "published for the first time" about a "diplomatic front" being formed with Canada and Germany against Iran and Hezbollah. The report states that the sand timer for a diplomatic solution on Israel's northern border is running out, and Israel is increasing pressure on Iran with the aim of curbing its influence in the region.
According to the Walla website, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz agreed with Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly during a phone conversation, especially following a threat from Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah to Cyprus (if it opens its facilities for war against Lebanon). They will work together with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who is scheduled to visit Israel next Tuesday, to promote the imposition of additional sanctions on Iran in the European Union and Canada.
Foreign Minister Katz informed Joly that Israel intends to return evacuated residents to their homes before the start of the next school year (in the north) and stressed that action is needed now. The Canadian minister informed him that her country, due to recent developments, is sending military forces to Lebanon to evacuate 45,000 Canadian citizens, which is the largest rescue operation ever undertaken by the country. According to Joly, Canadians have already dispatched military troops to the area to assist with this operation.
Minister Katz indicated that Israel remains interested in reaching a diplomatic solution to implement Resolution 1701, noting that U.S. President Joe Biden's envoy to the region, Amos Hochstein, and the French are still trying to find a solution. The Israeli Foreign Minister requested Canada join the United States and France in these efforts and press Iran to order Hezbollah to withdraw its forces to north of the Litani River, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.
Additionally, the Canadian minister requested that Israel transfer tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority and warned that if the authority collapses, Hamas and Iran will take control of the region, which would pose a danger to Israel, according to the newspaper. Minister Katz responded that the existing Palestinian Authority "will not be able to control Gaza and will have to make decisions regarding far-reaching reforms and a shift in worldview, including drastic changes in the education system and incitement to terrorism, and halting salaries to terrorists," as he described it.
Regarding Gaza, Minister Katz noted that "Israel intends to maintain security control over the area, and after eliminating Hamas, to transfer authority to local entities, which will receive assistance from moderate Arab countries and other actors, such as the United States."
