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Israeli hardliners urge Netanyahu to raze Beirut, defy Washington
🇩🇿 Algeria /Conflict & Security

Israeli hardliners urge Netanyahu to raze Beirut, defy Washington

From El Watan · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Israeli nationalist ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir are pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to launch a devastating response against Beirut.
  • They demand that entire buildings in the Lebanese capital be destroyed in retaliation for every Hezbollah drone attack that hits Israeli territory.
  • This escalation is fueled by growing anger in northern Israel over constant drone threats and a pre-election climate.

Hardline Israeli ministers are pushing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a drastic escalation against Lebanon, demanding the destruction of Beirut in response to Hezbollah drone attacks. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir are calling for a radical shift in military doctrine, advocating for the demolition of entire buildings in the Lebanese capital for each successful drone strike on Israeli soil.

If we don't do it, no one will do it for us.

— Viany De MarceauViany De Marceau, who runs REMAN, an NGO supporting African migrant workers, stated this as she and her team shifted their focus to help those struggling due to the fighting.

This aggressive stance echoes sentiments within the military, with Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reportedly supporting a change in strategy. He suggested targeting real estate in Beirut in response to explosive drones hitting troops in southern Lebanon and border towns. Ben Gvir has been even more explicit, urging Netanyahu to confront Donald Trump and signal Israel's readiness for a full-scale war in Lebanon, including cutting off the country's electricity and occupying the Zahrani region.

Even in the night we are busy. The phone will not stop ringing.

— Viany De MarceauDe Marceau described the constant demand for assistance at the center.

The pressure for a stronger response stems from mounting frustration in northern Israel, where residents face frequent drone alerts. This exasperation is fueling anti-government sentiment, with accusations of military impotence. In response to the escalating tensions, Netanyahu convened two emergency cabinet meetings. Leaked reports from the Israeli press reveal a heated exchange between Netanyahu and Smotrich, where the prime minister questioned the logic of Smotrich's proposal by asking if it should also apply to Gaza, the West Bank, or even Israeli cities if criminal organizations used drones.

Helping others in the community brings me a kind of happiness.

— Viany De MarceauDe Marceau expressed her personal motivation for the volunteer work.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Watan in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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