Israeli Finance Minister Calls for Escalated Military Response in Beirut Suburbs

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has issued a provocative statement on social media calling for a dramatic intensification of military operations against Hezbollah in response to a fatal attack.

In a post on his X account, Smotrich expressed condolences to the family of Rotem Yanai, an Israeli soldier killed in what he described as a Hezbollah drone bombing. He characterized Hezbollah as "accursed terrorists" and asserted that the militant group bears complete responsibility for her death, calling for their destruction.

Escalating his remarks, Smotrich directly addressed the Israeli Prime Minister with a specific military proposal. He advocated for the destruction of ten buildings in the Beirut suburb for each drone attack that results in Israeli soldier casualties. He further suggested that for every drone strike causing harm to Israeli forces, approximately one hundred buildings should be targeted.

"This is how the response will be a deterrent," Smotrich stated, urging the Prime Minister to allow the Israeli Defense Forces operational freedom and to prioritize the protection of Israeli soldiers.

The Israeli military had announced that Yanai was killed during a military operation in the northern region of the country. Smotrich accompanied his statement with a photograph of the deceased soldier.