Israel’s far-right ministers call for strikes on Beirut

Two of Israel’s far-right ministers on Monday called for a major escalation of the war in Lebanon, with one openly advocating attacks on Beirut in response to Hezbollah drone strikes.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to coordinate with US President Donald Trump and declare that Israel was “returning to war in Lebanon”.

He called for electricity to Lebanon to be cut off, for Israel to seize the Zahrani area in southern Lebanon, and for “intensive warfare” to resume.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich went further, calling for strikes on Beirut in response to Hezbollah’s use of explosive drones against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon and across the border.

“For every explosive drone, 10 buildings must fall in Beirut,” Smotrich said on Telegram.

The remarks amount to calls for collective punishment and a significant widening of Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon, including against the capital.

Smotrich also said he had approved a special budget of around two billion Israeli shekels, or $692m, for the defence establishment to develop countermeasures against Hezbollah’s drones.

The statements by Ben Gvir and Smotrich, both key members of Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, came after the Israeli military announced the death of another soldier in southern Lebanon.

According to Israeli official figures, 24 Israelis have been killed since the start of hostilities, including 23 soldiers and one civilian.

Lebanon’s health ministry says at least 3,123 people have been killed since the war began on 2 March.