Title: Smotrich: We Need a Ground Occupation of Southern Lebanon

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on Wednesday that the army does not want to engage in a war in the north, amid escalating mutual shelling with Hezbollah. He stated on Israel Army Radio: "My criticisms of the north were directed at the heads of security agencies who have hesitated for months to launch a wide operation while the army says it has been ready for years, but at the moment of truth they don’t know how to choose their targets." He added: "We need a ground occupation of southern Lebanon to establish a security zone there," continuing: "We will dismantle half of Lebanon and its infrastructure." Concurrently, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation "Kan" reported that the U.S. administration sent a message to Israel urging to "avoid escalation in Lebanon." It added: "The White House is looking to give an opportunity for communications regarding the exchange deal, which could also impact a ceasefire on the northern front."