Israeli minister demands 10 Beirut buildings razed per rocket

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Saturday renewed his call for a punitive bombing campaign against Beirut's southern suburbs. He demanded that Israeli forces destroy 10 buildings in the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahiyeh for every rocket fired from Lebanon toward Israeli territory as Washington and Tehran continue negotiations.

Social media statement

In a post on the social media platform X, Smotrich stated that Hezbollah should not be permitted to exploit the diplomatic moment to launch attacks against northern Israel. He argued that each rocket or drone strike originating from Lebanon must trigger the immediate demolition of 10 buildings in Dahiyeh, insisting that such action be carried out "immediately tonight," according to Anadolu Agency.

Border incidents

The Israeli military reported that sirens sounded across several communities in northern Israel on Saturday following rocket fire from Lebanese territory. The projectiles targeted Israeli forces operating in occupied areas of southern Lebanon, though no injuries were reported.

Israeli media earlier reported that a drone launched from Lebanon had crossed into Israeli airspace, activating warning systems in two northern communities. The incidents came as US-Iran negotiations continue without a breakthrough amid heightened regional tensions.