Israeli minister urges detention of Lebanese women and youth

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has called for the detention of Lebanese women and young people as a means to pressure Hezbollah, according to reports from a high-level security cabinet meeting. The controversial remarks were made as Israeli officials discussed expanding military operations in Lebanon.

During the meeting, Ben Gvir urged fellow ministers to adopt more aggressive measures, suggesting Israel move beyond conventional military tactics. He reportedly stated that alongside conquering territory and targeting fighters, Israel should detain civilians linked to Hezbollah's support base. He argued that taking women and youth to what he termed "terrorist prisons" would inflict the most significant pressure on the group. The comments refer to Israeli prisons holding Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank, which have been criticized by human rights organizations.

Ben Gvir's proposal is the latest in a series of inflammatory statements from the far-right minister, who oversees Israel's police and prison system. He has previously advocated for the use of lethal force against women and children near Israeli borders. His latest remarks coincide with an ongoing...