Israeli ministers have intensified their rhetoric toward Lebanon, calling for attacks on Beirut, the occupation of Lebanese territory, and harsher measures against Hezbollah following continued cross-border hostilities.
During a meeting of Israel’s Security Cabinet on Monday, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged a more aggressive approach toward Hezbollah.
“We must think outside the box regarding Hezbollah, and we should also consider occupying territory and killing many terrorists,” Ben-Gvir said, according to Turkish news agency Anadolu, citing Israel’s Maariv newspaper.
He also called for the detention of Lebanese women and children, stating: “This is what hurts them most.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Hezbollah of attempting to draw Israel into a prolonged conflict, claiming the group was seeking to drag the country into “a war of attrition”.
The comments come amid ongoing Israeli military operations in Lebanon that began after a Hezbollah cross-border attack on March 2. According to reports, the conflict has killed more than 3,600 people, injured over 11,100 and displaced more than one million residents.
The hostilities have also contributed to wider regional tensions, including recent exchanges between Iran and Israel. While Tehran warned of a “crushing” response if Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue, Israeli officials signalled that military operations would persist.
Yitzhak Wasserlauf, Israel’s Minister for the Development of the Periphery, the Negev and the Galilee, stressed the need for greater military capabilities, telling the cabinet that “Israel needs a lot of weapons”.
Settlement Affairs Minister Orit Strock also advocated for the occupation of territory inside Lebanon.
Several ministers specifically called for intensified attacks on Beirut. Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar urged stronger airstrikes against the Lebanese capital’s southern suburbs, an area commonly associated with Hezbollah influence.
“I believe the Iranians understand that entering a direct confrontation with Israel is not wise,” Zohar told local radio station 103 FM.
“The next time Hezbollah fires on Israeli towns, we will immediately attack the Dahiyeh. The Iranians will try again, so let them try,” he said.
Referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position, Zohar added: “Netanyahu has made it clear that if Iran tries to harm us, we will destroy it completely.”
“We continue to shape the Middle East as it should be,” he said.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz echoed similar warnings, declaring that “The fate of the Dahiyeh in Beirut is the fate of the towns in the north.”
“We categorically reject the Iranian threats, and any Iranian attempt to link Lebanon to Iran or attack Israel will be met with great force, as happened yesterday,” Katz added.
Meanwhile, Israeli strikes continued across Lebanon on Tuesday. The Christian quarter of the southern city of Tyre, previously spared from evacuation orders, was largely emptied after the Israeli military issued its first warning covering the entire city.
“We’ve packed our things, and we’re leaving,” resident Elias Barbour told AFP.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that at least eight people were killed in a strike on the eastern outskirts of Tyre. Rescue teams continued searching through the rubble for survivors following the attack.
Video footage from the area showed widespread destruction, with debris covering roads and damaged buildings surrounded by smoke.
The Israeli military issued an online evacuation notice for the city, where many displaced people from surrounding areas had sought refuge. Tyre had previously been excluded from broader evacuation directives.
Last week, the Israeli military alleged that Hezbollah members were operating within the area, though it did not provide evidence to support the claim.
The latest escalation highlights growing concerns over a further widening of the conflict, as military operations continue in Lebanon alongside rising tensions involving Iran and other regional actors.
