Israeli minister calls for reoccupation of southern Lebanon to ‘restore security’ in northern Lebanon

Smotrich says it is not possible to protect the population “without a war that destroys Hezbollah”

Jul 30 (EUROPA PRESS) –

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday called for the reoccupation of southern Lebanon and the destruction of the Shiite militia-party Hezbollah through war in order to “restore security for residents in the north” of the country, statements that come just days after an attack attributed to the Islamist group, although denied by them, left twelve children and teenagers dead in the Druze town of Majdal Shams, in the occupied Golan Heights.

“There is no way to restore security to the residents of the north without a war that destroys Hezbollah, reoccupies southern Lebanon and returns to Lebanese territory the security strip that is currently in our territory,” Smotrich said on his account on the social network X.

He also stressed that “the Israeli people are ready” after seeing the “results of the flight and withdrawal,” referring to the Oslo Accords and the evacuation of southern Lebanon and several settlements in the Gaza Strip.

Hours earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had promised a “harsh” response against Hezbollah during his visit to Majdal Shams, where he was booed.

Hundreds of people gathered in Majdal Shams on Monday to attend the funeral of one of the minors, a day after ten others were buried on Sunday. The victims were aged between 10 and 16 and were playing football on a pitch in the town when the attack took place, which also left dozens injured.