Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to escalate military action against Lebanon, suggesting the “flattening” of Beirut’s southern suburbs. In a recent Instagram video, Ben-Gvir, who also serves as Israel’s National Security Minister, expressed his opposition to the ceasefire with Lebanon and called for stronger strikes around the Lebanese capital.
Directly addressing Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir stated, “Dear Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, I love and appreciate you, but now is the time to level the suburbs to the ground.” He also praised US President Donald Trump, thanking him for what he described as a partnership.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam responded to Israeli strikes in a televised address on Saturday, accusing Israel of pursuing a “scorched-earth policy” and destroying towns and villages while displacing residents. Tensions between the two nations have escalated due to ongoing cross-border hostilities and renewed military operations in the region.