Two Israeli Ministers Demand Beirut Airstrikes Despite Ceasefire

(MENAFN) Two hardline members of Israel's Cabinet publicly called Sunday for a resumption of airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, openly defying the terms of a ceasefire that remains nominally in force.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir demanded that Israel "fire for every violation" committed by Hezbollah and for every drone the Lebanese militant group launches against Israeli territory.

"Dahiyeh must tremble," he said on US social media company X, referring to Beirut's southern suburbs.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich echoed the call, pressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to act without delay, demanding he "take down buildings in Dahiyeh today."

"The fire toward the northern settlements is a test of the Dahiyeh equation that the Prime Minister announced," Smotrich said on X.

The incendiary remarks from both ministers followed an Israeli army report of a drone attack launched from Lebanese territory, targeting military installations in northern Israel.

The bellicose rhetoric comes as Israeli forces have continued conducting daily airstrikes across Lebanon in spite of a fragile ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since April 17.

The relentless campaign of Israeli strikes has exacted a devastating toll on Lebanon, killing more than 3,700 people, wounding nearly 11,500, and forcing over 1.5 million to flee their homes since March 2, according to Lebanese officials.

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