Cabinet Clash Over Lebanon Ceasefire Exposes Rift Between Ministers and Military

A cabinet meeting on Thursday again turned into a sharp confrontation over Israel’s policy in Lebanon, after ministers complained that IDF forces are being held back by restrictions under the ceasefire arrangement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried to defend the northern front policy, saying there are no limits on Israeli troops and that the United States understands Israel’s security needs. Defense Minister Israel Katz backed him, saying every soldier may respond immediately to threats.

Netanyahu said, “On every immediate threat, the soldiers on the ground respond. We do not limit any soldier.” He added, “The Americans understand our right to defend ourselves.” Katz said, “Every soldier can respond immediately. There are advantages and disadvantages to the ceasefire, but we are not putting any soldier at risk.”

The ministers’ criticism came from the Religious Zionism camp, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir arguing that the army should act against emerging threats and Hezbollah rearmament. “What happens with an emerging threat? If you see Hezbollah arming itself, why not dismantle them?” he asked. Ben Gvir called to collapse the ceasefire: “There are soldiers who were wounded. This is an opportunity to crash the agreement. We can hit hundreds of targets and bomb them.”

Minister Orit Strock joined the criticism, saying soldiers feel like they are “at a shooting range” and warning that “Hezbollah continues to funnel ammunition.” The exchange prompted IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to tell the ministers, “You wanted a ceasefire.” Ben Gvir replied that he does not want one, “exactly because of this,” while Minister Haim Katz said the limits apply only “not beyond the yellow line.”