‘All of Lebanon Must Burn’

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has threatened to devastate Lebanon following reports that four Israeli soldiers were killed in fighting in southern Lebanon.

Ben-Gvir made the remarks in a post on X on Friday, shortly after reports emerged of the soldiers' deaths.

“With full 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 up for bargaining,” Ben-Gvir said, “All of Lebanon must burn.”

Addressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he said that for every tear shed by an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers should be made to weep.

The far-right Israeli minister also said that Israel must “go wild” to destroy and crush everything if it is to survive in the region.

Earlier on Friday, four Israeli soldiers were killed in a Hezbollah attack in southern Lebanon.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified one of the four soldiers as 32-year-old Lieutenant Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon.

Ben Simhon served as commander of the 52nd Battalion under the IDF’s 41st Brigade.

Hezbollah began attacking Israel after Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed in a joint U.S-Israeli operation. In response, Tel Aviv launched a ground offensive in southern Lebanon.

Although the United States and Iran later reached a ceasefire, intermittent exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and the IDF have continued in Lebanon. The ongoing attacks have resulted in casualties on a daily basis.