Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir reiterated the necessity of a comprehensive war against Hezbollah, emphasizing that "we must enter Lebanon and destroy Hezbollah, and we are capable of doing so." In an interview with North Radio 104.5FM, Ben Gvir stated, "There cannot be a situation where our people are evacuated or we are burned. I saw the satellite image from Kiryat Shmona; I saw the fires on our side, not their side," asserting that "we can exert more force, and there is no problem escalating and going to war."
He believed that "any sane person realizes that there will be no choice but to fight Hezbollah. Those who dream of political agreements remind me of what Hamas dreamed of in the Gaza Strip. You have to enter, fight, and destroy." When asked about his refusal to outline the deal proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden regarding a ceasefire and the return of hostages, he said, "There is no disagreement that we all want to see the hostages at home. But for anyone listening to us, the residents of the north, the south, this entire country say no."
He added, "From my perspective, it is an illegitimate deal that raises a white flag and stops the war," considering that "stopping the war now is defeat. In order for our children to continue living here, we must not stop the war." Ben Gvir asserted that "if we stop the war on time, in a year or two, Hezbollah will come, and Hamas will enhance its capabilities; this time it won't be October 7, but there will be 15,000 casualties."
