TEL AVIV — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seriously considering a plan for a limited military ground offensive against Hezbollah even as he mulls the dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and his replacement with former minister Gideon Saar. 

Diplomatic sources told Al-Monitor that high-ranking US officials have conveyed puzzlement to their Israeli counterparts over Netanyahu's intention to replace Gallant during Israel’s protracted and complex war in the Gaza Strip and seemingly impending war in Lebanon, but were told the issue was a domestic matter. According to the sources, once again, as Al-Monitor previously reported, Netanyahu is ignoring the Biden administration, guided only by his designs to keep himself in power.

In a move that appears to set the scene for an Israeli offensive, Netanyahu’s office announced late Monday that the security cabinet he chaired had updated the goals of the war to include the northern Israel residents' return to the homes they were forced to abandon 11 months ago.

"Israel will continue to work to realize this goal," a statement released by the prime minister’s office read. The original goals, as defined by the government, were to eliminate the military and governing capabilities of Hamas and bring the hostages back home.