Israeli minister rejects ceasefire, says Lebanon ‘should be Israel’s playground’
Itamar Ben-Gvir urges Netanyahu to tell Trump that Israel rejects ceasefire in Lebanon
“Israel cannot agree to a ceasefire in Lebanon,” the minister told Israel’s public broadcaster KAN in an interview.
He urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convey Israel’s rejection of any ceasefire in Lebanon to President Donald Trump.
“Trump is a true friend, and we must treat him politely and embrace him, but we need to tell him that we cannot agree to a ceasefire in Lebanon,” Ben-Gvir said.
“We are the ones making decisions, and there are good results for our soldiers,” he added.
His opposition comes amid growing disputes within Israeli political and security circles over a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran and their possible implications for ending the war on the Lebanese front.
Israel and Lebanon are set to hold a fifth round of direct negotiations in Washington on Tuesday. The talks follow four previous rounds between the two sides that began in April as part of a track aimed at ending the Israeli war in Lebanon.
The US-mediated negotiations come as criticism grows inside Israel over Washington’s handling of talks with Iran and Hezbollah.
The Israeli news site i24NEWS, citing Israeli officials, said Tel Aviv fears that an agreement between the US and Iran could strengthen Tehran and its allies in the region.
The officials claimed the Trump administration and its negotiating team “misunderstands the ideology driving Tehran and Hezbollah.”
On Saturday, i24NEWS quoted unnamed senior Israeli officials as saying: “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed ministers to avoid personal attacks on Trump.”
Israel has killed more than 4,100 people, and injured over 12,000 others in Lebanon since March 2, according to official Lebanese figures.
Israel continues to occupy areas in southern Lebanon, some held for decades and others seized during the 2023-2024 war.
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