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According to a report by Al Jazeera on Friday, June 19, 2026, Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has issued a strong and controversial call for escalation against Lebanon following the killing of four Israeli soldiers in fighting in southern Lebanon.
The far-right minister made the remarks after the Israeli military confirmed the fatalities, which occurred during ongoing combat operations near the border region.
In a post shared on X, Ben-Gvir said Israel must send a clear message to the international community regarding its response to attacks on its forces and civilians. “With all due respect to the Americans, Israel must make it clear to the entire world that the blood of our sons and the security of our citizens are not forfeit. All of Lebanon must burn,” he stated.
He further claimed that he had raised similar positions directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during private discussions, emphasizing a hardline approach to retaliation.
“For every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep,” Ben-Gvir said, adding that the situation required an extreme response. He further stated that actors in the region must be dealt with forcefully, saying they should “go berserk, to obliterate, to crush the terror.”
His comments come amid heightened tensions along the Israel–Lebanon border, where exchanges of fire and military operations have intensified in recent days, raising concerns over a broader escalation.
The Israeli government has not officially endorsed Ben-Gvir’s remarks, and no detailed operational response has been publicly confirmed following the latest fatalities.
However, his statements have added to growing political pressure within Israel as security developments continue to unfold.
