“Israeli” minister calls for occupying Lebanon

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich demanded that “Israel” issue an ultimatum to Hezbollah to stop its attack and withdraw from the northern border, saying that if the Lebanese group does not comply, then a ground invasion should be launched to take over southern Lebanon.

At a meeting with his party, the Religious Zionist Party, Smotrich demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spell out a clear-cut plan to deal with Hezbollah in the north.

“A public ultimatum must be issued to Hezbollah that they completely stop firing and withdraw all forces to beyond the Litani River,” said Smotrich.

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“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 continued.

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

Smotrich also called for permanent “Israeli” military presence in the Gaza Strip and at the Rafah Border Crossing to prevent smuggling from Egypt – per his statements.

“Israeli” Minister and war cabinet member Benny Gantz recently scolded Netanyahu for his lack of comprehensive plan for dealing with the ongoing war, and threatened to leave the cabinet if his conditions aren’t met.

Gantz demanded a plan from Netanyahu to return the residents of north “Israeli” back to their areas after they largely displaced due to the daily skirmishes occurring at the border with Hezbollah since Oct. 8, 2023.