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 Israeli defense minister says military has "additional missions to complete" in fight against Hezbollah

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the military has “additional missions to complete” in its fight against Hezbollah, as it presses on with intense strikes against the militant group.

“We have additional missions to complete in order to ensure the safe return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes. We will continue throwing Hezbollah off balance and deepening their loss,” he said.

Gallant’s remarks come as the US and allies have been urging for a ceasefire across the Israel-Lebanon border to prevent an all-out regional war from erupting.

The defense minister said he met with top military officials on Thursday to “approve planned operations in the northern arena,” referring to the part of Israel close to the border with Lebanon.

“We are continuing our sequence of operations: eliminating Hezbollah terrorists, dismantling Hezbollah’s offensive infrastructure, and destroying rockets and missiles,” Gallant said.

Israel has been launching a barrage of airstrikes across swathes of Lebanon as its conflict with Hezbollah escalates.

Israel’s military has vowed to speed up its “offensive operations” against Hezbollah without reprieve. Troops on Wednesday held exercises simulating ground combat in Lebanon, which the military has not ruled out.