Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has once again sparked controversy by renewing his demand for harsh retaliatory measures against Lebanon following rocket and drone attacks targeting Israel.
In a statement shared on social media, Smotrich called for the destruction of 10 buildings in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district for every rocket fired at Israel from Lebanon. He argued that Hezbollah should not be allowed to take advantage of ongoing regional tensions and continue attacks on northern Israel.
The Dahiyeh area, located in the southern suburbs of Beirut, is widely regarded as a stronghold of Hezbollah and has been the target of multiple Israeli airstrikes during previous conflicts. Smotrich urged Israeli authorities to carry out the proposed response immediately following reports of renewed security alerts and rocket threats.
The remarks come amid escalating tensions between Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran, despite international efforts to maintain ceasefire arrangements and prevent a wider regional conflict. Recent weeks have seen renewed exchanges of fire across the Israel-Lebanon border, raising concerns about further instability in the Middle East.
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Smotrich’s comments have drawn attention due to their similarity to controversial proposals made during previous Lebanon conflicts, where large-scale retaliatory strikes against Beirut’s southern suburbs were discussed as a response to rocket attacks. Human rights organizations and international observers have historically criticized such proposals over concerns regarding civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.
As tensions continue to rise, diplomatic efforts led by international mediators are focused on preventing further escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. However, ongoing cross-border attacks and increasingly aggressive rhetoric from political leaders on both sides continue to threaten regional stability.
