Israel's far-right ministers call for escalation in Lebanon
Quick Look
Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich called for escalated military action in Lebanon, including strikes on Beirut, in response to Hezbollah's drone attacks.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Israeli far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have called for an escalation of military operations in Lebanon in response to ongoing Hezbollah drone attacks. Ben Gvir advocated for cutting off electricity and resuming intensive warfare, while Smotrich proposed retaliatory strikes on Beirut.
Israel’s two far-right ministers on Monday called for an escalation of military operations in Lebanon, with one advocating strikes on Beirut in response to Hezbollah’s drone attacks.
“It is time for the prime minister to take a firm stand with Donald Trump and tell him that Israel is returning to war in Lebanon,” National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said on social media. Ben Gvir leads the far-right Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) Party.
“Electricity to Lebanon must be cut off, the Zahrani must be seized, and intensive warfare resumed,” he said, referring to a river in southern Lebanon which runs further north than current Israeli ground operations.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, from the Religious Zionist Party, called for strikes on Beirut to counter Hezbollah’s drone attacks on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon and across the border.
“There is an urgent need to put an end to the threat posed by Hezbollah’s explosive drones,” Smotrich said on social media.
“For every explosive drone, 10 buildings must fall in Beirut.”
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Increased military exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will the Israeli Prime Minister act on these calls for escalation?
- What is the current stance of the Israeli government regarding military operations in Lebanon?
- What is the potential impact of such escalation on regional stability?
