Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Economic Times
The Economic Times

Israel far-right minister slams ceasefire with Lebanon as 'serious mistake'

Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticised on Thursday a ceasefire deal with Lebanon brokered by Washington, calling it a "serious mistake".

"The ceasefire with Lebanon is a serious mistake and the pipe dreams of advisers are dragging the prime minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) to wrong decisions," the minister wrote on X.

Israel and Lebanon agreed Wednesday to implement a ceasefire but said it would require a "complete cessation" of fire by Iran-backed Hezbollah, according to a joint statement after US-led talks in Washington.

Read More: Israel and Lebanon agree to implementation of ceasefire

Ben Gvir said the deal, which would see Hezbollah withdraw from southern Lebanon, cannot be enforced and the Lebanese state cannot be trusted.

"Hezbollah has not left the area south of the Litani, and the Lebanese army has no way to enforce its evacuation. The state of Lebanon is a partner of Hezbollah," the hawkish minister wrote.

He also chastised Netanyahu for giving in to US pressures to reach a deal.

"The prime minister should have told President Trump: We love and appreciate you, but Israel is a sovereign and independent state," Ben Gvir wrote.

Read More: Trump confirms he called Netanyahu 'crazy,' as he says Israel is complicating peace talks with Iran

"There are moments when one must know how to say 'no', even to the president of the United States, and when we don't do so, we will meet Hezbollah next time when it is much stronger and more dangerous," he added.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.