Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Thursday evening that the only thing that hurts the enemy is land, and that Israel must create a security zone in southern Lebanon that would become an inseparable part of the state. 'Anyone who messes with us will lose land forever,' he said, according to N12's Amit Segal. The remarks build on an earlier statement by Smotrich reported by The Zioneer at 19:46.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich issued a stark statement Thursday evening, calling for a permanent Israeli security zone in southern Lebanon that would become an inseparable part of Israel. Speaking to N12's Amit Segal, Smotrich said 'the only thing that hurts the enemy is land' and warned that anyone challenging Israel would 'lose land forever.'
The remarks follow an earlier report by The Zioneer at 19:46, in which Smotrich made similar comments. The minister's language has sharpened, explicitly using the term 'forever' and emphasizing the annexation of the security zone.
The statement is part of a broader Israeli political discourse on southern Lebanon. In recent weeks, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen described the seized territory as 'defensive' and non-negotiable, while Prime Minister Netanyahu has stressed that the security zone must be maintained as long as security needs require. The Zioneer has reported on these developments extensively.
This latest statement adds to the growing chorus from Israeli officials advocating for a permanent Israeli presence in southern Lebanon, rather than a temporary security arrangement.
2 developments
- StrongSmotrich: The immediate test is in Lebanon; convert military gains into stable security reality
- ConfirmedSmotrich: Israel will not withdraw from Lebanon, deepening rift with US over Iran deal
- DevelopingSmotrich calls for massive Lebanon response instead of tit-for-tat with Iran
- DevelopingSmotrich hails security achievements, says IDF controls 70% of Gaza and holds Lebanon buffer zone
Source and signal
- Internal intake