Israeli defence minister says war entering new phase as focus shifts north

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the war was entering a new stage on Wednesday (September 18), with the centre of gravity moving to the northern border area where more troops and resources were being transferred.

 

"We are opening a new phase in the war - it requires courage, determination and perseverance from us," he said, in remarks at an air force base.

 

The comments, which echo similar remarks by numerous senior Israeli politicians and military commanders over recent weeks, come as Israeli sources with knowledge of the matter said the army had moved its 98th Division, which includes commando and paratrooper formations, from Gaza to the north.

 

Israeli officials have not commented on the attacks on the Hezbollah communications devices over the past two days, which have killed more than 20 people and wounded thousands, but security sources have said Israel's spy agency Mossad was responsible.

 

The operations, which have appeared to throw Hezbollah into disarray, have heightened fears of an escalation in the fighting along Israel's border with southern Lebanon with the risk of a full-blown regional war.