Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich Urges Military Action Against Hezbollah
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich made a bold statement on Sunday, calling for military intervention if Hezbollah does not withdraw from the border with southern Lebanon. The ongoing exchange of fire between Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and Israel has escalated tensions in the region for the past seven months.
Clarification of Plan to Deal with Hezbollah
During a faction meeting of the Religious Zionism party, Smotrich urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to clarify the strategy to address the threat posed by Hezbollah. As a minister in the Defense Ministry, Smotrich emphasized the necessity of military action against Hezbollah if deemed necessary.
Ultimatum and Military Takeover Proposal
Smotrich proposed issuing a public ultimatum to Hezbollah to cease firing and retreat beyond the Litani River. He drew parallels to Israel’s historical security zone in southern Lebanon post the First Lebanon War in 1982. Warning of a potential military assault, Smotrich outlined a plan for Israeli forces to enter southern Lebanon for the protection of northern communities.
Government Disagreements and Demands
Internal disagreements within the Israeli government have surfaced, with Defence Minister Yoav Gallant opposing the idea of establishing a military government in the region. Former army generals Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot supported Gallant’s stance, while Smotrich and Internal Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized the position.
Humanitarian Crisis and International Concerns
As the conflict intensifies, concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza have been raised. The lack of a clear strategic goal for the campaign has exacerbated the situation, leading to warnings from the United Nations about potential catastrophic consequences due to aid shortages in Gaza.
UN’s Warning and Ongoing Developments
The UN’s humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, highlighted the urgent need for aid in Gaza and expressed worries about the severe impact of the ongoing conflict. The international community is closely monitoring the situation as efforts are made to address the escalating crisis.
