Beirut’s Dahieh ‘Will Look Like Khan Younis,’ Far-Right Israeli Minister Says
March 5, 2026
Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that Beirut’s southern suburbs will “very soon look like Khan Younis” following an unprecedented Israeli order to residents to leave the city’s southern suburbs. The densely populated part of the Lebanese capital is home to an estimated half a million residents. The Israeli threats triggered chaotic scenes in the capital as residents attempted to flee.
Smotrich referenced one of the cities all but destroyed during the Gaza war as he toured the northern border with Lebanon, as Israel intensified its attacks against Hezbollah.
“Hezbollah made a mistake and will pay dearly for it. We are cutting off the head of the octopus in Iran, and at the same time we will also cut off Hezbollah’s arm,” he said.
While 6 rockets do not justify a ground invasion, Israel has no sense of proportionality and will use any excuse to escalate the situation to cause maximum damage and violence , destroy entire neighbourhoods and cities to expand its control over the region.
English Script:
N/A
