Likud MK Amit Halevi, a member of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, said Israel must fundamentally change its military approach in Lebanon after four fighters were killed in a deadly incident in southern Lebanon. He argued that continuing with the same methods would not provide adequate protection for Israeli forces.
"Do not do more of the same. The IDF must change its approach. The security establishment must change its approach," Halevi said. He added that the missile or drone itself is not the enemy, and that trying to deal with such threats only while they are in the air toward Israeli soldiers is not enough to keep them safe.
Halevi said the way to defeat Hezbollah is to destroy and disrupt its civilian and governing infrastructure, which he described as the basis for its military activity. He called for strikes on Hezbollah’s religious, educational and social institutions, as well as its economic network, including civilian industrial plants, banks, drug fields, real estate and construction companies, and housing for officers and operatives. He said this is the main action needed in war to achieve a decisive outcome, and called it both feasible and a duty toward Israeli soldiers and civilians.
Earlier, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir demanded a harsh response in Lebanon, saying, "Lebanon as a whole needs to burn," and urging Israel to stop using measured responses and instead "go crazy" and "erase" terrorism. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also said it was time to "speak with fire and open the gates of hell."
