Netanyahu will bring Hezbollah agreement to Security Cabinet if one is agreed, PM tells ministers

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed the Israeli Security Cabinet that any potential agreement with Hezbollah would only be presented for approval if it is actually reached, noting that Hezbollah has so far opposed such a deal. "If Hezbollah agrees [to a deal], I will bring it for your approval," Netanyahu told ministers during a meeting on Thursday.

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If Hezbollah agrees [to a deal], I will bring it for your approval.

The discussion centered on Israel's military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, with several ministers advocating for more aggressive actions. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Netanyahu to present the situation in northern Israel to U.S. President Donald Trump, suggesting a military maneuver and striking Hezbollah's strongholds. "There needs to be a military maneuver. Even if there is a confrontation, he will get over it, and our soldiers are more important," Ben-Gvir stated.

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There needs to be a military maneuver. Even if there is a confrontation, he will get over it, and our soldiers are more important.

Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen expressed a sentiment shared by some, saying, "a normal country would have smashed" Hezbollah. MK Ze'ev Elkin argued that Hezbollah is not seeking a ceasefire and that Israel can afford to wait, but must respond. Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf suggested a more aggressive approach, stating, "During a lunch break, you eat - during a ceasefire, you shoot." Minister Orit Strock implied a desire to push deeper into Lebanon, calling to "change the border - we need to move in that direction."

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a normal country would have smashed Hezbollah.

Conversely, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich presented a different perspective, emphasizing the potential success of a ceasefire. "a ceasefire under these constraints would be a huge achievement," Smotrich argued, highlighting a division within the cabinet regarding the appropriate strategy against Hezbollah.

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a ceasefire under these constraints would be a huge achievement.