Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has called for the seizure of Lebanese “women and youth” as a means of pressuring Hezbollah, according to remarks made during a security cabinet meeting where several officials also supported intensifying military operations in Lebanon.
Ben Gvir urged officials to “think outside the box” in dealing with Hezbollah, suggesting a combination of territorial advances, killings of fighters, and the detention of civilians. He claimed such measures would inflict maximum pressure on the group.
His comments come amid continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon despite a US-announced ceasefire. Rights groups have previously reported cases of Lebanese civilians being detained under Israel’s “unlawful combatant” law, which allows indefinite detention without formal charges.
Israeli officials in the same meeting reportedly backed expanding the war effort and increasing military funding, with senior ministers calling for greater defence spending and continued operations against Hezbollah targets.
Meanwhile, Lebanese authorities say Israeli attacks have continued at high intensity since the ceasefire announcement, causing thousands of strikes, widespread destruction, and large-scale displacement across the country. Lebanon’s health ministry has reported thousands killed and over a million displaced since the escalation began, while Israeli casualties from Hezbollah attacks have also been reported on the other side of the border.
