Israeli Ministers Propose Detaining Lebanese Women and Youth as Pressure on Hezbollah

At a security cabinet meeting on 9 June 2026, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Israel to “think outside the box” by arresting the women and youth of Hezbollah operatives and sending them to “terrorist prisons,” alongside calls for territorial occupation and intensified strikes.

Naharnet

Since the March 2024 war, Israel has expanded air and ground operations in southern Lebanon. A U.S.–brokered ceasefire on 17 April 2026 has not halted strikes, which have caused over 3,600 Lebanese deaths and displaced roughly 1.2 million people. Israeli authorities hold 1,316 detainees under the 2002 “unlawful combatant” law, a figure that includes Palestinians and Syrians; the number of Lebanese civilians detained is not disclosed.

Itamar Ben Gvir calls for Lebanese Women & Youth to be Abducted to pressure HezbollahIsrael’s Ben-Gvir calls for abduction of Lebanese women to pressure HezbollahMiddle East EyeIsraeli Ministers face backlash over calls to bomb Beirut and detain Hezbollah familiesIsraeli ministers call for bombing Lebanese capital, detaining women in revenge on HezbollahAntiwar.com

Key figures include National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, and Lebanese officials President Joseph Aoun and Defense Minister Michel Menassa. Hezbollah remains the primary militant opponent.

The Jerusalem Posti24NEWSMiddle East EyeIsrael’s Ben-Gvir calls for abduction of Lebanese women to pressure HezbollahItamar Ben Gvir calls for Lebanese Women & Youth to be Abducted to pressure HezbollahIsraeli ministers call for bombing Lebanese capital, detaining women in revenge on Hezbollah

Ben-Gvir framed the detention plan as a deterrent. Katz pledged to expand armaments and warned that attacks on northern Israel would make “the fate of the Dahiyeh in Beirut the fate of the towns of the north.” Wasserlauf demanded Smotrich “open his pockets” for artillery. President Aoun called for negotiations and a non-aggression pact.

The Jerusalem Post

Human-rights groups condemn the “unlawful combatant” law as a breach of international standards, citing indefinite detention without charge. Several foreign governments have denounced Ben-Gvir’s rhetoric, and Italian prosecutors opened an investigation after a video showed detainee mistreatment.

Itamar Ben Gvir calls for Lebanese Women & Youth to be Abducted to pressure Hezbollah

Lebanese health officials report 3,637 deaths, while anti-war sources cite 3,666. The exact number of Lebanese detainees remains “unknown.”

Itamar Ben Gvir calls for Lebanese Women & Youth to be Abducted to pressure Hezbollah

• “Also, conquering territory and killing many terrorists, but also arresting their women and youth and taking them to terrorist prisons. That's what hurts them the most.” — Itamar Ben-Gvir, National Security Minister

The Jerusalem Post

• “We categorically reject Iran's threats. Any Iranian attempt to link Lebanon and Iran and attack Israel will be met with great force, as happened yesterday,” — Israel Katz, Defense Minister

France 24

• “No, but can we allow ourselves to be fired upon and be limited in response?” — Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, IDF Chief of Staff

Times of Israel

• “We are ready, we are willing, we are ?committed. Are you? If you are, let's sit and talk,” — Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon

France 24

The cabinet will review funding and operational directives in the coming weeks. Lebanese officials seek renewed talks, while regional actors watch for escalation involving Iran. No formal policy on detaining Lebanese civilians has been announced.

Israeli Ministers face backlash over calls to bomb Beirut and detain Hezbollah families