Daijiworld Media Network - Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv, May 25: Two far-right ministers in Israel on Monday called for a major escalation of the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, with one minister openly advocating strikes on Beirut in response to drone attacks by Hezbollah.

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

Ben Gvir called for electricity supplies to Lebanon to be cut off, the seizure of the Zahrani area in southern Lebanon, and the resumption of what he termed “intensive warfare”.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich made stronger remarks, demanding attacks on Beirut following Hezbollah’s reported use of explosive drones against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon and near the border.

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

The remarks by the two ministers, both key allies in Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, signalled support for a broader military offensive in Lebanon, including potential attacks targeting the capital city.

Smotrich also announced that he had approved a special budget of around two billion Israeli shekels (approximately 692 million US dollars) for the defence establishment to develop systems aimed at countering Hezbollah drones.

The statements came shortly after the Israeli military confirmed the death of another soldier during operations in southern Lebanon.

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

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 3,123 people have died since the war erupted on March 2.