There has been near-daily fire along the border between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah since Israel began its war in Gaza nearly a year ago. The fighting has forced tens of thousands of people on both sides to flee their homes and threatens to spark a wider regional conflict.
The decision regarding the "safe return of northern residents to their homes" was approved during a meeting of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said on September 17.
The decision came a day after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told a visiting US envoy to Israel that "military action" was "the only way left to ensure the return of northern Israeli communities."
Hezbollah officials say the group will withdraw if a ceasefire is reached in Gaza, but Israeli Defence Minister Gallant warned time was "running out".
Along Israel's northern border with Lebanon, Hezbollah claimed to have carried out "dozens" of attacks on Israeli positions on September 16 while the Israeli military said it had struck "terrorist" targets in Lebanon.
Months of negotiations and shuttle diplomacy have failed to reach a ceasefire agreement to end fighting in Gaza that erupted after Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
The Gaza ceasefire will be the main focus of discussions when US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Egypt later on September 17.
Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem said over the weekend that Hezbollah "has no intention of going to war," but that if Israel "launches" a war, "there will be great losses on both sides."
