Israeli Minister Proposes Arresting Family Members of Lebanese Armed Groups

Israeli Minister Ben-Gavir has proposed arresting family members of Lebanese armed groups, the Jerusalem Post reported on Tuesday (June 9). He said that arresting family members of Hezbollah fighters would put pressure on the organization.
He made the proposal at a meeting of the Political-Security Cabinet today. “We have to think differently about Hezbollah,” Ben-Gavir said. According to him, not only military operations, but also arresting and imprisoning the families of fighters—especially women and young people—would have the biggest impact on the organization.
Other ministers present at the meeting also voted in favor of expanding military operations on the Lebanese border and called for an increase in the defense budget and allocations for weapons purchases.

Pressure to increase military budget
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich demanded more money for the defense sector at the meeting. Negev, Galilee and National Resilience Minister Yitzhak Wasserlaf said that a “tough response” is needed in Lebanon and that the army should be supplied with more weapons.
Defense Minister Israel Katz also supported this position, saying that additional funds should be allocated to increase the army’s equipment and capabilities.

Debate amid pressure for ceasefire
The comments come amid international pressure for a ceasefire on the Lebanese border. Recently, after talks between US President Donald Trump and the Israeli leadership, the military operation on the northern border was ordered to be suspended.
However, these statements from within the cabinet indicate that a part of the country’s government is taking a position in favor of expanding the military operation in Lebanon.