Ben-Gvir rejects Lebanon ceasefire, calls for wider offensive

Ben-Gvir rejects Lebanon ceasefire, calls for wider offensive

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has strongly opposed any ceasefire agreement with Lebanon and called for an expansion of Israel’s military campaign. In remarks to Israeli media, the far-right minister said Israel should not agree to a truce and argued that the entire Lebanese territory should remain a target of Israeli operations.

Ben-Gvir described former US President Donald Trump as a true friend of Israel and said Israeli leaders should treat him with respect and maintain close relations with him. However, he stressed that friendship with Washington should not influence Israel’s security decisions. According to him, Israeli officials must clearly state that they cannot accept a ceasefire in Lebanon.

The minister also defended Israel’s actions in the conflict, saying that Israel is responsible for making its own decisions and that the country’s military operations have produced positive outcomes for its soldiers. He insisted that Israel should continue pursuing its strategic objectives without outside pressure.

Ben-Gvir rejected any distinction between Lebanon and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group that operates from Lebanese territory. He argued that separating the two is unrealistic and claimed that Israel needs to intensify its military efforts rather than scale them back.

His comments come amid growing international calls for de-escalation and renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent a broader regional conflict. The minister’s remarks are likely to fuel further debate over Israel’s strategy in Lebanon and the prospects for a ceasefire in the region.