Israel’s far-right cabinet members, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, on Friday called for intensified attacks in Lebanon after the Israeli army said four soldiers were killed in fighting in southern Lebanon, Anadolu reports.
In a post on the US social media company X, Ben-Gvir said Israel should respond forcefully despite international pressure.
“With all due respect to the Americans, Israel must make it clear to the entire world that the blood of our sons and the security of our citizens are not forfeit. All of Lebanon must burn,” the extremist minister wrote.
“Our supreme duty is to protect the citizens of Israel and the soldiers of the IDF (army), and this commitment takes precedence over every other consideration,” he added.
Ben-Gvir noted he had conveyed his position directly to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “I told the Prime Minister, even in our private meetings: For every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep.”
