As rockets fly, Gallant says Israel inching toward military option against Hezbollah

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant tells US special envoy to the region Amos Hochstein that Hezbollah’s continued attacks on Israel are bringing the country closer to making a decision regarding military action in Lebanon.

“We are committed to the diplomatic process. However, Hezbollah’s aggression is bringing us closer to a critical point in the decision-making regarding our military activities in Lebanon,” Gallant says, according to remarks provided by his office.

During the meeting at Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, Gallant also warns Hochstein that Hezbollah is “dragging the parties to a dangerous escalation,” according to his office.

According to a readout, Gallant and Hochstein spoke on Hezbollah’s daily rocket, missile, and drone attacks, as well as efforts to reach an agreement that would see the terror group withdraw from the border and end the hostilities, to enable displaced residents of northern Israel to return to their homes.

Underlining the threat, rocket sirens sound in several towns near the border moments after Gallant’s office publishes the statement, with reports of one projectile impacting in Kiryat Shmona.