'All Lebanon must burn': Israel minister after 4 soldiers killed
What's the story
Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for intensified attacks on Lebanon after four Israeli soldiers were killed in clashes. He made the statement on social media platform X, saying Israel should respond forcefully regardless of 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," he wrote. "All of Lebanon must burn," he said.
Security commitment
Ben-Gvir's controversial statement
Ben-Gvir emphasized his duty to protect Israeli citizens and soldiers, saying this responsibility is above all else. He said he has also shared his stance with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying, "For every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep." The minister called for a harsher attack on Lebanon, citing the need to "go berserk. To obliterate. To crush the terror."
Ongoing conflict
US-Iran deal to halt hostilities in Lebanon fails
The calls for increased aggression come after Israeli strikes continued past midnight, despite a US-Iran deal reportedly aimed at stopping hostilities in the Middle East, including Lebanon. Earlier Friday, at least 24 people were killed and several injured in Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, as reported by Lebanon's official news agency (NNA). The attacks targeted homes in Al-Sharqiyah, Harouf, and Kfar Sir in the Nabatieh district.
Casualties reported
Casualties and displacements in Lebanon
Official figures indicate that Israel's military offensive, which started in March, has killed 3,912 people. The conflict has also displaced over one million residents. During this time, Israeli forces have advanced over 10km into Lebanese territory. After the fresh violence, planned talks in Switzerland between the US and Iran were postponed. Al-Mayadeen, a pan-Arab satellite channel that is politically allied to Hezbollah, claimed that Iran was postponing sending its delegation to Switzerland because of Israel's ongoing military campaign in Lebanon.