Ben Gvir Challenges Lebanon Ceasefire Policy, Zamir Fires Back

At a security cabinet meeting held last night, ministers debated enforcement of the ceasefire on Israel’s northern border and how to stop Hezbollah’s rearmament. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the IDF is responding forcefully to immediate threats, stressing that soldiers in the field are not being restricted. He also said the United States backs Israel’s right to defend itself.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir questioned why Israel is not taking broader action against Hezbollah’s weapons buildup. “If we see Hezbollah arming itself, why not dismantle them?” he asked. Minister Orit Strock echoed the criticism, saying fighters in the field feel frustrated and “like they are at a shooting range,” though she said Israel must still respond to every immediate threat.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir replied, “You wanted a ceasefire.” Ben Gvir answered that he had opposed the deal from the start, saying, “I do not want a ceasefire, exactly for that reason.” Defense Minister Israel Katz said any soldier can respond immediately, and that while the ceasefire has advantages and disadvantages, “we are not putting any soldier at risk.”

Later in the discussion, ministers from Otzma Yehudit and others said Hezbollah continues to transfer weapons and ammunition. Ben Gvir urged using recent events to change policy, saying, “This is an opportunity to collapse the agreement. We can strike hundreds of targets and bomb them.”