Israel’s Ben-Gvir, Hezbollah oppose US-brokered Lebanon deal

Senior Israeli official Itamar Ben-Gvir has declared his opposition to the new agreement signed by Israel and Lebanon, calling it “a big mistake.”

Washington said the framework signed by the United States, Israel, and Lebanon creates a structured process to restore Lebanon’s sovereignty and disarm Hezbollah.

But Ben-Gvir, Israel’s National Security Minister, insists Lebanon will not disarm Hezbollah, noting that Israelis remain in most of the disputed territory.

The politician said Hezbollah ministers sit in the Lebanese government, stating that Lebanon cannot be trusted to take away Hezbollah’s weapons.

“I will demand a vote in the cabinet,” Ben-Gvir announced. “Only IDF soldiers will destroy Hezbollah — no one else will do it for us.”

Hezbollah ​Leader Naim Qassem, in his reaction, said the pact reached in Washington “is a humiliating, disgraceful, and illegitimate agreement.”

According to the secretary-general, the provisions of the Iran–U.S. understanding regarding a ceasefire in Lebanon should be implemented instead.

Qassem​ said linking Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon to the disarmament of the resistance ​”crosses every red line and turns Lebanon into a pawn in the hands of the enemy.​”

The Shia cleric argues that legitimizing the presence of occupiers in southern Lebanon​ “could lead to prolonged occupation and even annexation of these territories.”