“Lebanon Must Burn”: Israeli Minister Calls for Retaliation After Soldiers’ Deaths

Following the death of four Israeli soldiers in a Hezbollah attack in southern Lebanon, far-right Israeli ministers and officials are demanding harsh military retaliation despite a newly brokered ceasefire agreement.

IDF Casualties Spark Calls for Vengeance

The Israeli military confirmed early Friday that four soldiers were killed during an attack by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. These are the first casualties recorded since the United States and Iran brokered a deal aimed at ending hostilities across all Middle Eastern fronts. In retaliation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck multiple Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, resulting in 18 reported deaths according to AFP.

Political Outcry and Demands for Escalation

Far-right Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir issued a defiant statement Friday morning, declaring that for every tear shed by an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers should weep. He argued that Israel must demonstrate that it will not sacrifice the safety of its citizens or soldiers, stating, “The whole of Lebanon must burn.” Similarly, Avigdor Liberman, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to strike Dahiya, a southern Beirut suburb considered a Hezbollah stronghold, labeling any failure to do so a defeat for the current leadership.

Netanyahu Maintains Military Posture

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israeli forces will remain in Lebanon as long as necessary to protect the country’s northern border. Defense Minister Israel Katz added that Israel will respond with significant force to any aggression. Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed they are acting in self-defense and accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement.

U.S. Frustration and the Buffer Zone

Despite reports that a new ceasefire took effect Friday afternoon, the IDF stated they would maintain a “buffer zone” in southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah poses a threat. This expansion, extending roughly 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory, has strained relations with the United States. U.S. officials expressed frustration over civilian casualties, with Vice President J.D. Vance criticizing Israeli ministers for their aggressive rhetoric, asserting that Israel cannot use lethal force to address every security challenge.