‘Could be a hot summer’: Gallant vows displaced northern residents will be able to go home safely, hints at possible escalation

Speaking to troops in northern Israel, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vows to return the tens of thousands of Israelis displaced by Hezbollah’s attacks back to their homes, saying “it could be a hot summer,” hinting at the possibility of an escalation on the northern border.

“We have pushed Hezbollah away from the lines of contact to significant distances, but this does not mean that it has disappeared,” he says to artillery reservists in the 91st Division.

“To return the residents safely, an agreement process or an operational process is needed. I am determined to return the residents to their homes safely and to rebuild the things that were destroyed,” Gallant says.

“We have very significant, very heavy firepower, and we will make sure to activate it if there is a need and a reason,” he says, referring to the possibility that Israel will go to war to force Hezbollah away from the border.

“You have proven yourselves until today, I think in an impressive way,” he tells the soldiers. “Now you have to prepare for the upcoming [missions], and this summer could be a hot summer.”