Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has endorsed plans to abduct women and children, including Christians, from Lebanon. According to Gvir, “conquering territory“, kidnapping the“women and youth” and sending them to Israel is the next phase of Israel’s war plans in the region.
“Let’s start thinking outside the box about Hezbollah,” Ben Gvir said during a security cabinet meeting on Tuesday. “Conquering territory and killing many terrorists, but also detaining their women and youth and taking them to terrorist prisons … That’s what hurts them the most.”
Middle East Eye said the Israeli state already engages in similar behavior:
“Since the 2024 war, Israeli forces have abducted several Lebanese civilians. The exact number remains unknown. They are among 1,316 people currently held under the “unlawful combatant” law, including Palestinians from Gaza and Syria nationals. Detainees held under this legislation – originally enacted in 2002 to detain Lebanese citizens not under Israeli jurisdiction for indefinite, renewable periods – do not have formal indictments against them.”
Israel continues its war against Lebanon and Iran (although it may stop for a day or so) despite President Donald Trump urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cease attacking its neighbours and expanding its borders.
Netanyahu is far from the only Israeli seeking to continue the conflict however.
“Other ministers at the meeting urged Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to increase funding for military procurement and defense needs as the cabinet discussed the campaign in Lebanon and the possibility of expanding military operations,” The Jerusalem Post said Tuesday.
The Israeli officials may get their wish, as the U.S. is considering merging with the Jewish State so Israel can have access to everything the U.S. has.