Army chief says northerners can only return home when it’s safe
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (center) speaks to troops of the 98th Division in southern Gaza's Khan Younis, February 1, 2024. (Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry)
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi toured the Lebanon border earlier today to hold an assessment on ongoing skirmishes with the Hezbollah terror group, the army says.
“We will return the residents only when it is safe here,” Halevi says in remarks provided by the IDF, referring to some 80,000 Israelis displaced by Hezbollah’s daily attacks.
“It requires professionalism, readiness, and patience from us,” he adds.
