Israel-Hamas war latest: Israel will do 'whatever is necessary' to bring home north border residents

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that returning residents evacuated from Israel’s north due to cross-border fighting with Hezbollah is now an official war goal. Hezbollah began striking Israel almost immediately after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that sparked the Israel-Hamas war. Since then, Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire daily, coming close to a full-blown war on several occasions and forcing tens of thousands on both sides of the border to evacuate their homes. Visiting White House envoy Amos Hochstein met with Netanyahu and other top officials Monday to try to soothe tensions and avoid the opening of a new front between Israel and Lebanon. Netanyahu told the envoy that Israel will do “whatever is necessary” to bring home the residents.