Ben-Gvir urges Israel to hold Lebanese women hostage, bomb Beirut
The proposal came as Israel's cabinet weighed expanding operations in Lebanon despite a ceasefire announced on April 16.
Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged the Israeli military to bomb Beirut and take Lebanese women and children hostage in a security cabinet meeting this week. The proposal came as the Israeli government discussed expanding operations against Hizbullah, amid a U.S.-brokered ceasefire announced on April 16. Ben-Gvir also called for occupying Lebanese territory and detaining relatives of opponents as a way to pressure Hizbullah. The call drew scrutiny because it would use civilians as leverage, something prohibited under international humanitarian law. At the same time, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have continued after an escalation since March, when cross-border fire triggered a wave of airstrikes and a major displacement crisis.