Two Israeli cabinet ministers on Sunday called for resuming airstrikes on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut, despite an ongoing ceasefire. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated that Israel should "fire for every violation" by Hezbollah and for every drone launched by the Lebanese group. "Dahiyeh must tremble," he said on the social media platform X, referring to Beirut's southern suburbs.
Hardline Demands Intensify
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "take down buildings in Dahiyeh today." He emphasized that the fire toward northern settlements is a test of the Dahiyeh equation announced by the Prime Minister. Smotrich called for decisive action to ensure security for northern residents.
Ceasefire Violations Continue
The calls by the hardline politicians came after the Israeli army reported a drone attack from Lebanon targeting military positions in northern Israel. Despite a fragile ceasefire agreement in effect since April 17, the Israeli army continued its daily airstrikes in Lebanon. According to Lebanese officials, Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,700 people, wounded nearly 11,500, and displaced over 1.5 million since March 2.
Failed Negotiations
Neither Israel nor Hezbollah have respected the ceasefire announced in April. A conditional truce deal announced this month after a fourth round of direct Lebanese-Israeli negotiations in Washington has also failed to halt the fighting. Hezbollah rejected the direct talks and the conditional agreement, which requires it to cease attacks but makes no mention of Israel doing so or withdrawing troops from Lebanon. Lebanese leaders have accused Tehran of treating the country as a "bargaining chip."
US-Iran Deal Looms
The news comes as the US and Iran prepare to sign a possible memorandum of understanding. President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Saturday that a deal with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday. Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayyad urged Lebanon to take advantage of any deal to end the Iran war that includes the country. He stated that Lebanon's state should negotiate for itself and abandon the policy of being crushed in the face of the Israelis and submission to the Americans.
Continued Clashes
When the US and Israel launched the war against Iran on February 28, Trump called on Iranians to rise and take over state institutions. Even as the US and Iran appeared to be moving toward an agreement, clashes have continued. The US military imposed a blockade on Iran and sought to loosen Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, which carried 20% of the world's oil shipments before the war. Early on Saturday, US forces shot down multiple Iranian one-way attack drones heading toward the strait.
Israeli Strikes Intensify
Israel, which says it is not a party to the US-Iran deal, said on Saturday that it had struck more than 70 sites over 24 hours in Lebanon against Hezbollah. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has clashed with Trump over US demands that Israel curb military action in Lebanon to allow Washington to reach a deal with Tehran.
