Report: Netanyahu at odds with Gallant over impact of Lebanon war; Israel lobbying for legitimacy

Hebrew media reports that a security cabinet discussion planned for tomorrow will be postponed to Monday.

The Kan public broadcaster says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes a full-on war in Lebanon won’t diminish Israel’s military pressure on Hamas in Gaza, while Defense Minister Yoav Gallant contends that though the IDF is ready for such a war, it will require some forces to be taken out of Gaza and will harm the chances of returning hostages.

The report says Israel is readying to lobby countries to boost international legitimacy for launching a war in Lebanon, including persuading the US that everything has been done to reach a deal that would prevent a war.

Kan says Washington is aiming to delay a full-blown war until at least after the US election on November 5. It says Middle East envoy Amos Hochstein will soon present progress with Lebanon on efforts to avert a war, while quoting Israeli and foreign sources as saying these efforts aren’t sufficient to resolve the current tensions and daily skirmishes.