After pager attack – Report: Israel’s war focus shifts to northern front – Politics

Tel Aviv (dpa) – After the explosions in Lebanon, Israel's Defense Minister Joav Galant announced a “new phase” of the war. The focus is on the front in the north, several media reported, citing Galant's office. The Israeli army and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia have been fighting there for months.

Forces and resources are to be shifted to the north, Israeli media quoted Galant as saying. He recalled Israel's recently defined war aim: the return of refugees to the border region.

Since the Gaza war began almost a year ago, there have been almost daily confrontations between Hezbollah and the Israeli military. Tens of thousands of people on both sides have had to flee their homes. Hezbollah, which is allied with Hamas, will not silence its weapons until a ceasefire is reached in the Gaza Strip.

According to official reports, at least nine people were killed and more than 300 others injured in renewed explosions involving electronic devices in Lebanon.

Hezbollah and Iran blame Israel for the alleged coordinated attack on hundreds of radio receivers. Israel has not made an official comment.

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