Israeli ministers urge Beirut bombing despite ceasefire

Ministers demand escalation

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday publicly demanded renewed airstrikes against Beirut's southern suburbs, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to order immediate military action despite a fragile ceasefire with Lebanon. The hardline ministers issued separate statements on X calling for a return to hostilities following reports of cross-border drone attacks.

Ben-Gvir said Israel should "fire for every violation" by Hezbollah and for every drone launched by the Lebanese group. "Dahiyeh must tremble," he said, referring to Beirut's densely populated southern suburbs. Smotrich issued a similar demand, telling Netanyahu to "take down buildings in Dahiyeh today." "The fire toward the northern settlements is a test of the Dahiyeh equation that the Prime Minister announced," he said on the platform.

Truce violations continue

The ministers' statements followed an Israeli army report of a drone attack from Lebanon targeting military positions in northern Israel. The military has continued near-daily airstrikes in Lebanon since a ceasefire took effect on April 17, according to Lebanese officials.

Humanitarian toll

Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,700 people, wounded nearly 11,500 and displaced over 1.5 million since March 2, according to Lebanese officials. The ceasefire — brokered after months of escalation — has failed to halt sporadic violence along the border.