Netanyahu, Smotrich said to clash over response to Hezbollah drones

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in the Knesset, February 7, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90/File)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in the Knesset, February 7, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90/File)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich clashed over a response to the growing drone threat from Hezbollah during last night’s security cabinet meeting, Channel 12 reports.

Smotrich reportedly demanded of Netanyahu that the IDF take down 10 buildings in Beirut for every explosive drone fired into Israel.

According to the report, Netanyahu mocked Smotrich, asking what he would do after 30 drones were fired, take down 30 buildings?

The report also says that IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir also pushed for greater freedom to operate, saying they could not operate with a “tweezer.”

Israel is largely restrained in the scope of its operations due to pressure from the US during talks with Iran.

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