Israeli ministers call for cutting power to Lebanon, return to full-scale war
Two senior Israeli ministers have called for a more aggressive response to Hezbollah following a series of drone attacks from Lebanon. National security minister Itamar Ben Gvir said Israel should cut electricity supplies to Lebanon, seize the Zahrani River and return to full-scale military operations.
Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich called for a tougher response to Hezbollah’s drone capabilities, saying Israel should impose a high cost for attacks.
The comments came after reports that Israeli military leaders discussed possible retaliatory strikes following Hezbollah drone operations targeting northern Israel and military positions near the Lebanese border.
Israeli media have recently reported the use of advanced first-person-view drones by Hezbollah, including systems equipped with fibre-optic guidance and thermal imaging.
Netanyahu has vowed a strong response to continued attacks, saying Israeli authorities are working to counter the evolving drone threat.
Lebanese rescue workers search the site of an Israeli air raid in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, 25 May 2026 (Abbas Fakih/AFP)