Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant announced that the conflict has entered a new phase, with a clear shift of military emphasis toward the northern front. He described the moment as the beginning of a new phase of the war, stressing that strategic calculations are being adjusted to meet new challenges. The plan calls for realigning forces so that the weight of the IDF’s operations is focused more intensely on the northern theater. Galant underscored the seriousness of the shift, noting that the change aims to strengthen deterrence, safeguard communities along the border, and keep pressure on hostile actors on that front. Galant emphasized that the decision reflects a careful assessment of the current security landscape and the need to align forces with the most pressing operational goals. In his view, the northern theater requires sustained attention and a flexible posture to counter hostile actions, protect civilian populations nearby, and maintain momentum in ongoing operations. “We are at the beginning of a new phase of the war,” the head of the military department said. The statement reflected a broader assessment within the defense leadership that the northern arena has become the focal point for counterterrorism and security operations.
The defense leadership explained that forces are moving north in response to evolving threats and the need to secure a vulnerable perimeter. The minister stressed that the hostages are not forgotten and that every available element of the security apparatus is mobilized to support operations in the north. He described the mission as involving all bodies of the security framework to achieve a straightforward objective: restoring residents to their homes by stabilizing communities, clearing roadways, and restoring essential services that have been disrupted by hostilities. The approach combines intelligence gathering, targeted strikes against militants, and humanitarian considerations that aim to minimize casualties while restoring normal life for civilians.
Galant highlighted impressive results achieved by the IDF in partnership with the General Security Service, known as Shin Bet, and the foreign intelligence service Mossad. He pointed to intensified intelligence sharing, precision operations, and coordinated campaigns that disrupt militant networks and dissuade potential threats. The collaborative effort reportedly accelerated the neutralization of threats, reduced cross-border activity, and enhanced overall security in areas previously exposed to instability. Officials indicated that the integrated intelligence cycle—collect, analyze, act—has sharpened decision-making and enabled faster responses to shifting risk dynamics along multiple fronts.
In parallel, the military command detailed the redeployment of the 98th Division to the Lebanese border as part of the broader deterrence posture against regional militant groups. In the northeast, reports indicated that a Hezbollah drone was spotted near the city of Tiberias, underscoring the persistent cross-border threat and the need for vigilant airspace monitoring and ground readiness. The presence of aerial reconnaissance and potential cross-border incursions has prompted a sustained posture that blends rapid mobilization with targeted surveillance, aiming to prevent infiltration and to disrupt any attempt to escalate hostilities along the frontier.
Earlier, military statements confirmed the destruction of Hamas headquarters in the Gaza Strip as part of ongoing counterterrorism operations. The development was portrayed as a significant step in disrupting the command and control capabilities of the militant group, while also illustrating the broader strategy of applying pressure across multiple theaters. The combined actions reflect a comprehensive approach that seeks to degrade capabilities, protect civilians, and restore stability in the region. As the conflict continues, authorities stress the importance of coordinated action, continuous monitoring, and readiness to respond to new developments on all fronts.