Smotrich and Ben Gvir Demand Harsh Retaliation After Hezbollah Drone Fire

Cabinet ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir posted sharp social media reactions on Sunday morning after Hezbollah launched drones toward northern Israeli communities. Both called for a severe strike on Lebanon, echoing Defense Minister Israel Katz’s pledge to respond to fire at Israel.

Smotrich wrote that the attack on northern communities is a test of the “Dahieh equation” announced by the prime minister, and urged that it be carried out “with determination and force” by bringing down buildings in Beirut’s Dahieh district the same day. He added that these are “critical days” for shaping the region for years and said, “We promised security to the residents of the north and we must keep it.”

Aliyah and Absorption Minister Ofir Sofer also said Israel must strike in Dahieh, adding that neither Shlomi nor any other Israeli community should become a routine target for Hezbollah. Ben Gvir, meanwhile, wrote that he would again present his position in a meeting with the prime minister, calling for escalation against every drone and every violation, and saying Dahieh “should shake” after every Hezbollah UAV. He added, “Against terror we do not contain, we decide.”

Knesset member Gilad Kariv mocked Ben Gvir’s post with a parody version of the same format, replacing the threats with talk of tweets, TikTok videos, criticism of the attorney general, and a cream cake from his wife Ayala. Kariv called Ben Gvir “a walking joke” and “a joke at our expense.”