Netanyahu Tells Ministers the IDF Faces No Limits on Immediate Threats in Lebanon

At a security cabinet meeting on Thursday, ministers argued over how the IDF should respond to Hezbollah threats in southern Lebanon under the ceasefire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said troops are free to act against any immediate danger, declaring, “Any immediate threat, the soldiers on the ground respond, we do not restrict any soldier.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir asked what happens when the danger is not immediate but is building up, and said, “If we see Hezbollah arming itself, why not dismantle them?” Minister Orit Strock said soldiers were criticizing the situation and, in her words, feel “like at a shooting range,” while also saying it is right to respond to every immediate threat. She added that Hezbollah continues to bring in ammunition.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir replied, “You wanted a ceasefire.” Ben Gvir shot back, “I do not want a ceasefire, precisely because of that.” Defense Minister Israel Katz said, “Every soldier can respond immediately,” and later added that the ceasefire has both advantages and disadvantages, but stressed, “We are not putting any soldier at risk.”

Public Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also attacked the agreement, said soldiers had been wounded, and called it an opportunity to collapse the ceasefire. Netanyahu later said, “The Americans understand our right to defend ourselves.” The report also said Multidimensional Unit forces are continuing to kill Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon.