Israeli minister says Hezbollah must be dealt with military action if needed

Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday (May 19) said that if Hezbollah does not withdraw from the border, then Israel should launch a military takeover of southern Lebanon.

Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire across Lebanon's southern border for seven months - since the Gaza war started.

While speaking at a faction meeting of his Religious Zionism party, Smotrich asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to clarify the plan to deal with the terror group.

Smotrich, who also serves as a minister in the defence ministry, further stated that Hezbollah must be dealt with through military action in case required.

"A public ultimatum must be issued to Hezbollah that they completely stop firing and withdraw all forces to beyond the Litani River," said Smotrich as hetalked about a strategy similar to Israel's security zone in southern Lebanon in the years following the First Lebanon War in 1982.

"If the ultimatum is not fully met, the IDF will launch an assault deep in Lebanese territory to defend the northern communities, including ground entry and Israeli military takeover of the southern Lebanese area," he warned.

"The way to bring the [evacuated] residents home to the north is through a military decision with a devastating assault on Hezbollah, its infrastructure and the destruction of its power," he added.

Gantz's ultimatum to Netanyahu

Since the defence minister demanded a clear strategy from Netanyahu, the Israeli government appears to be singing a different tune. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said he would not agree to setting up a military government in the Palestinian enclave.

Two centrist former army generals in the cabinet, Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, backed Gallant's call. But Smotrich and Internal Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir condemned the comments.

Gantz on Saturday even demanded a post-war plan, otherwise, he would quit the coalition. He asked Netanyahu to commit to an agreed vision for the Gaza conflict that would include stipulating who might rule the territory after the war with Hamas.

Gantz told a news conference that he wanted the war cabinet to form a six-point plan by June 8 and if his expectations were not met, he would withdraw his centrist party from the conservative premier's emergency government.

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Humanitarian crisis in Gaza

The Israeli PM is moving ahead with his plan to finish Hamas and bring back some 130 hostages still held by the Islamist movement. However, he has not articulated any clear strategic goal for the end of the campaign, which has worsened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Meanwhile, the United Nations' humanitarian chief has warned of "apocalyptic" consequences due to aid shortages in Gaza.

"If fuel runs out, aid doesn't get to the people where they need it. That famine, which we have talked about for so long, and which is looming, will not be looming any more. It will be present," the UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, Martin Griffiths, told the news agency AFP on the sidelines of meetings with Qatari officials in Doha.

"And I think our worry, as citizens of the international community, is that the consequence is going to be really, really hard. Hard, difficult, and apocalyptic," Griffiths added as Israel's military offensive in the southern city of Rafah has blocked desperately-needed food.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)