Israeli Leaders Clash Over Lebanon Ceasefire Deal

Israel’s political leadership began responding this morning (Thursday) to the joint overnight announcement by Israel and Lebanon that they had reached a ceasefire agreement through American mediation.

Defense Minister ישראל כ"ץ launched a sharp attack on opposition leaders: "Members of the opposition should apologize and acknowledge the major achievement so far in Lebanon, both on the ground and on the diplomatic level, thanks to the leadership and the bold and correct decisions of the political echelon."

He continued: "Yesterday’s declaration of principles between Israel and the Lebanese government in Washington — under U.S. mediation and commitment — includes an unequivocal declaration of the goal of disarming Hezbollah throughout Lebanon and condemning Iran’s involvement in Lebanon and the region; a ceasefire conditioned on the early removal of Hezbollah terrorists from the entire area south of the Litani and the creation of a demilitarized zone, while the IDF will for now continue its fire and its operations on the ground; the IDF’s continued presence in the security zone in Lebanon up to the Yellow Line, including in the Beaufort area and without the return of the population, along with the continued thwarting of terrorist infrastructure in the field; and freedom of action for Israel, with American backing, to strike in Beirut in response to fire on communities and Israeli territory — is an expression of the reality we have created in Lebanon so far."

Katz said this was a "reality that could lead, depending on developments on the ground and while standing uncompromisingly on the interests of the State of Israel, to a diplomatic peace agreement with Lebanon — and above all to achieving real and permanent security for residents of the north, for the first time in 50 years." According to him, "everything depends on the determination and navigational ability of the political echelon, and on the IDF’s ability to make sure these things are actually carried out. We do not rely on any other factor."

He added: "While opposition figures babbled and attacked without understanding the new security reality in the region after October 7, and the new border and community defense policy being led by the government and the IDF, with the IDF separating jihadist forces from Israeli communities and the Israeli border in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza through security zones — we acted. We secured the residents of the north. That is what we did, and that is what we will do."

National Security Minister איתמר בן גביר attacked the decision to approve the agreement: "The ceasefire with Lebanon is a grave mistake and a pipe dream cooked up by advisers who are dragging the prime minister into the wrong decisions. Hezbollah will not leave the area south of the Litani, and the Lebanese army has no way of forcing it to evacuate. The State of Lebanon is a partner of Hezbollah. There are ministers in its government from Hezbollah, and relatives of Hezbollah members serve in the Lebanese army. In practice, Hezbollah will only grow stronger, and instead of defeating it, Israel is accepting its very existence."

He continued: "The prime minister should have told President Trump: we love and appreciate you, but Israel is a sovereign and independent state, and it cannot accept the strengthening of a terrorist organization and its very existence on its border. There are moments when you have to know how to say ‘no’ even to the president of the United States, and when you do not do that — the next time we meet Hezbollah, it will be much stronger and far more dangerous. Although unfortunately I was updated on the intentions during a limited meeting at the prime minister’s office, I am therefore requesting a cabinet discussion and a vote on the decision to stop the fire. This is a grave mistake!"

National Unity chairman בני גנץ said: "The agreement between Israel and the State of Lebanon is important, and if implemented it could be a significant diplomatic breakthrough in the war against Hezbollah and in isolating the terrorist organization. But this agreement will be tested by the reality on the ground. Therefore, the IDF must remain deployed inside Lebanese territory until the full implementation of the agreement, and the State of Israel must respond aggressively to every Hezbollah violation, even the smallest one. Otherwise, it will be more of the same, more stalling that will cost blood. Israel’s citizens, and especially the residents of the north, are fed up with false promises and empty slogans."

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman, MK אביגדור ליברמן, also responded: "The ceasefire with Lebanon is just another timeout for Hezbollah so it can reorganize and rearm. This is not a ceasefire — it is a return to the conception that brought us to 10/7. We must defeat them, we must eliminate Hezbollah!"