Intense phase of Israel's war with Hamas about to end and focus will shift north to Hezbollah, Netanyahu says

The "intensive" phase of Israel's offensive in Gaza will soon end, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday — but he signaled he would only accept a "partial" cease-fire deal that would not end the war, and that this new phase would allow a shift in focus to the simmering conflict on the country's northern border with Lebanon.

Netanyahu's comments appeared to back further away from a United States-supported truce deal with Hamas, setting the stage for his latest clash with the Biden administration and with the families of hostages still held in Gaza. They also fueled new international concern about escalation with Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah that could ignite a broader regional conflict.