Lebanon ceasefire ‘a grave mistake,’ Israel’s Ben Gvir warns
The Cradle, November 25, 2024 ─
Hebrew reports say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to a US-backed ceasefire proposal, but that ‘outstanding issues’ remain.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir expressed his firm disapproval of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon on 25 November, calling it a “grave mistake” and urging the need to fight until “absolute victory.”
“An agreement with Lebanon is a big mistake. A historic missed opportunity to eradicate Hezbollah. I understand all the constraints and reasons, and it is still a grave mistake,” Ben Gvir said via X.
“You have to listen to the commanders fighting in the field, listen to the heads of the authorities. Precisely now, when Hezbollah is beaten and longs for a cease-fire, it is forbidden to stop. As I warned before in Gaza, I warn now as well: Mr. Prime Minister – it is not too late to stop this agreement! We must continue until the absolute victory!” he added.
Ben Gvir has consistently stood against negotiations to end the war in Gaza over the past year.
His comments come a day after Israeli media outlets reported that an agreement between Israel and Lebanon for a ceasefire could be achieved within days.
According to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (KAN), Channel 14, Yedioth Ahronoth, and other Hebrew outlets, a preliminary green light has been given to move towards reaching an agreement with Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly discussing with senior officials how to present this agreement to the Israeli public.
The KAN report was also coupled with threats against Lebanon. “A warning was sent to Lebanon that if an agreement is not reached, Lebanese targets will be attacked. So far, Israel has not attacked Lebanese targets and has been careful to distinguish between targets belonging to Hezbollah and targets belonging to the Lebanese state,” it cited a political source as saying.
According to Israeli journalist for Axios and Walla, Barak Ravid, senior White House envoy Amos Hochstein – who visited Israel last week after a trip to Beirut – informed Netanyahu that he would withdraw from the talks if Israel did not give a positive response to the US-led ceasefire efforts.
Ravid reported shortly after that Israel is “moving towards” a deal with Lebanon. The Saudi Al-Hadath channel cited an Israeli source as saying that Netanyahu has agreed to the US ceasefire proposal, but needs the approval of the cabinet.
Israel’s Channel 13 reported after Netanyahu’s high-level meetings on Sunday that there are still “outstanding issues” regarding the talks.
Haaretz said the deal includes an eventual discussion on Israeli-Lebanese demarcation of “contested” border areas. While the border is already demarcated, Israel maintains an illegal, decades-old occupation of Lebanese land including the Shebaa Farms, Kfar Shuba hills, and the town of Ghajar.
Lebanon-Israel ceasefire negotiations focus on the implementation of UN Resolution 1701, which demands Hezbollah’s withdrawal beyond the Litani River and a withdrawal of invading Israeli forces from the Lebanese south.
Beirut has reportedly agreed to the establishment of an international committee to oversee the resolution’s implementation. A clause in the deal that stipulated Israel’s right to operate militarily in Lebanon if the resolution failed was said to have been changed to accommodate both parties’ right to self-defense.
Hezbollah and the Lebanese state have vowed not to accept an agreement that violates Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Last week, Israel’s defense minister said Tel Aviv will not agree to any deal that does not ensure Tel Aviv’s right to act against Hezbollah.
The reports came just a few hours after massive rocket, missile, and drone attacks by Hezbollah against military sites and settlements across Israel, namely in the north and center.
Impacts were made in the greater Tel Aviv area several times throughout the day on Sunday. There were casualties and heavy damage in the areas struck by Hezbollah.