Far-right Minister Ben-Gvir urges Netanyahu to reject Hezbollah ceasefire

Far-right Israeli National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reject a US-backed proposal for a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Slamming it as “a grave mistake”, the ultranationalist leader of Otzma Yehudit argued that agreeing to the deal would squander a “historic opportunity” to eliminate the militant group.

In a post on X, Ben Gvir emphasised the importance of maintaining pressure on Hezbollah, stating, “Precisely now, when Hezbollah is beaten and longs for a ceasefire, it is forbidden to stop.”

הסכם עם לבנון הוא טעות גדולה. החמצה היסטורית של הזדמנות למגר את החיזבאללה. אני מבין את כל האילוצים והנימוקים, ועדיין מדובר בטעות חמורה. צריך להקשיב למפקדים הלוחמים בשטח, להקשיב לראשי הרשויות. דווקא כעת, כשחיזבאללה מוכה ומשתוקק להפסקת אש, אסור לעצור.

כפי שהזהרתי בעבר בעזה אני…

— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) November 25, 2024

He urged Netanyahu to heed the advice of military commanders on the ground and claimed, “It’s not too late to stop this agreement,” he added. “We must continue until absolute victory!”

According to The Times of Israel, Ben Gvir has consistently opposed any ceasefires in both Gaza and Lebanon, even temporary ones. He has also repeatedly threatened to pull his party out of the coalition if Israel moves forward with such a deal.

Israel has engaged in cross-border warfare with Lebanon, launching an air campaign in late September against what it claims are Hezbollah targets.

More than 3,600 victims have been killed by Israeli attacks in Lebanon, with more than 15,300 injured and over 1 million displaced since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Tel Aviv expanded the conflict by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon on 1 October.

WATCH: Israel unleashes intense strikes on Beirut