Israeli Ministers Call for Bombing Beirut and Detaining Women in Retaliation Against Hezbollah

Israeli ministers have collectively called for an escalation against Lebanon, particularly targeting the Hezbollah group. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged the bombing of Beirut and the detention of Lebanese women in retaliation for Hezbollah attacks.

“We must think outside the box regarding Hezbollah, and we must also consider occupying territory and killing many terrorists,” Ben-Gvir stated during a Security Cabinet meeting on Monday evening local time, as quoted by the Maariv newspaper and reported by Anadolu Agency on Tuesday.

Ben-Gvir also called for the “arrest of women and children” in Lebanon. “This is what hurts them the most,” he said, referring to Hezbollah.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, speaking at the same meeting, accused Hezbollah of attempting to drag Israel into a “war of attrition.”

The Israeli military launched deadly airstrikes against Lebanon after Hezbollah attacked Tel Aviv on 2 March. The wave of Israeli attacks has reportedly killed more than 3,600 people, wounded over 11,100, and displaced more than 1 million.

Tel Aviv’s ongoing strikes against Lebanon triggered mutual attacks between Israel and Iran on Monday local time. While Tehran vowed to deliver a “devastating” response if Israel continues attacking Lebanon, Tel Aviv said it would press on with its strikes.

“Israel needs a lot of weapons,” said Minister for the Development of the Periphery, the Negev and the Galilee, Yitzhak Wasserlauf, during the same meeting.

Settlement Affairs Minister Orit Strock called for the occupation of territory in Lebanon.

During the Security Cabinet meeting, Defence Minister Israel Katz asserted: “The fate of Dahiyeh in Beirut is the fate of the cities in the north.” Dahiyeh is the southern suburb of Beirut that serves as Hezbollah’s base and stronghold.

“We firmly reject Iran’s threats, and any Iranian attempt to link Lebanon with Iran or to attack Israel will be met with great force, as happened yesterday,” Katz stressed.