Title: Smotrich: War Must Be Waged and a Buffer Zone Established in Southern Lebanon

Israeli Channel 7 reported that Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated, "If we delay the decision for war and undermine Hezbollah's capabilities, we will pay a heavy price and thousands will die." He said, "We must wage war and establish a buffer zone in southern Lebanon instead of leaving this area in our territory." He pointed out that "the agreement with Hezbollah is not worth the paper it is written on." Smotrich believes that "military rule alone in Gaza will allow for the occupation and control of the sector and prevent the return of Hamas."