Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Wednesday to return tens of thousands of residents evacuated from northern border areas to their homes, amid mounting tensions with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.

Israel said enabling residents displaced by Hezbollah attacks to return home is now a formal war objective, signaling the country is closer to an all-out offensive against the Lebanese militant group.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to return citizens 'safely' to their homes following missiles strikes. He reassured those who were evacuated from their homes following near the Lebanon border they will be returned 'safely'.