Ben-Gvir warns Netanyahu against deal with Lebanon
Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Monday that a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon would be "a big mistake and a missed historic opportunity to eradicate Hezbollah," warning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that "it is not too late" to stop the looming deal.
"I understand all the constraints and reasons, and it is still a serious mistake. We must listen to the commanders fighting on the ground, listen to the heads of authorities. Precisely now, when Hezbollah is beaten and yearns for a ceasefire, we must not stop," Ben-Gvir said.
"As I warned in the past in Gaza, I warn now too: Mr. Prime Minister -- it is not yet too late to stop this agreement! We must continue until complete victory!" Ben-Gvir added.
His remarks come hours after Israel's state-run Kan broadcaster said that Israel had signed off on a U.S.-backed ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon and thay Netanyahu was now working on how to present it to the public.
The aim is to present the truce not as a “compromise” but as beneficial to Israel, Kan reported.
The ceasefire allows for Israel to retain the right to carry out military operations on the Lebanon-Syria border, the report adds.
Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said last week that the group had reviewed the truce proposal and submitted a response and that the ball was now in Israel’s court.
Source: Naharnet
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