The head of the IDF's Spokesperson's Unit said on Tuesday that the status of the Gaza Strip after Israel's planned ground assault on the Palestinian enclave would be a "global issue" for discussion by Israel's politicians and with other countries.
"We've had all kinds of end games," Brig.-Gen. Daniel Hagari told media during a news briefing, in response to a question about whether Israel's military planned to stay and govern Gaza after its ground invasion.
"The cabinet is also discussing what that could look like ... this is also a global issue, what the situation will look like in this region," he said.
The IDF continued striking dozens of Hamas targets across the Strip on Tuesday afternoon, with fighter jets striking military infrastructure and secret apartments used by Hamas leaders across the Strip.
Israel is preparing a ground assault on Hamas-controlled Gaza in response to the militant group's deadly attack on nearby towns and kibbutzes in southern Israel on October 7.
Israeli forces have carried out their heaviest-ever bombings of the blockaded, besieged enclave since the Hamas attack and are massing ground troops for the assault.
Hagari said the military had "presented an operational plan" to the Israeli cabinet but did not elaborate.
"Gaza borders other countries ... So when we say things on the final status, they will combine the orders of the political level and the military," Hagari said.
Dealing with Hezbollah
"The State of Lebanon should ask itself whether it is endangering itself for Hezbollah," Hagari also stated.
Attacks from Hezbollah terrorists have increased along Israel's northern border since Operation Swords of Iron began after the Hamas attacks.
On Tuesday, the IDF announced that it had received a report of an anti-tank guided missile being fired towards the community of Zar'it on the border with Lebanon. IDF forces responded with artillery fire toward the source of the missile firing.
צה"ל תקף מטרות צבאיות של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה.צה"ל תקף לפני זמן קצר מטרות צבאיות ששימשו להכוונת טרור ותשתיות טרור של ארגון חיזבאללה בשטח לבנון, בתגובה לירי לעבר שטח ישראל אתמול pic.twitter.com/pU84AtCqUk
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) October 17, 2023
The entire Metula local council area was declared a closed military area after anti-tank missile fire from Lebanon, the IDF announced on Tuesday. Citizens are asked not to try to approach the place and Metula residents have been asked to evacuate the area under the council's jurisdiction.
Explosions from anti-tank missiles were heard near the town of Metula on the Lebanon-Israel border earlier on Tuesday, with three people reported injured. The IDF announced it was responding to the attack and targeting the area from which the missiles came. Anti-tank missiles and gunfire were also aimed at Margaliot near Kiryat Shmona, the IDF announced. The IDF responded with artillery fire.The Upper Galilee Regional Council also announced that following a security incident near Ramim Cliff, all roads in the area are to be closed to traffic. No further instructions were issued by the council, but residents are advised to stay close to protected shelters.