Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by a Lebanon-related provision in an emerging agreement with Iran, according to Israeli officials.
The reported clause is intended to halt military activity on several fronts, including Lebanon, as part of a broader effort to reduce tensions between Washington and Tehran. Israeli officials said Netanyahu made clear that Israel would not accept any arrangement that restricts its ability to act against Hezbollah.
According to the officials, Netanyahu also told Trump that Israeli forces would remain in their current positions in Lebanon and continue operations aimed at countering threats from Hezbollah.
Israeli ministers were said to have backed Netanyahu's position during a Security Cabinet meeting, viewing the issue as a key national security interest.
The dispute centres on Israel's insistence that it must retain freedom of action against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group based in Lebanon.
Israeli officials argue that military operations are necessary to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its capabilities near the border and to protect communities in northern Israel.
Senior officials described the Lebanon provision as a matter on which Israel would need to "stand firm" if asked to make withdrawals or limit its operations.
According to one official, the United States understands that Israel regards the issue as non-negotiable.
Israeli officials also said they believe Iran has chosen not to retaliate following a recent Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs, an area known as a Hezbollah stronghold.
Tehran had previously threatened a response, but Israeli officials assessed that diplomatic efforts and pressure from Washington helped prevent further escalation, amid concerns that renewed hostilities could jeopardise the emerging agreement.
The issue prompted extensive discussion within the Security Cabinet over how Israel should respond if Iran were to launch future attacks.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reportedly argued that any response should focus on Lebanon rather than Iran itself. According to officials familiar with the discussions, he said that if Iran attempted to link developments in Lebanon to events involving Iran, Israel should "match and raise".
Officials said Smotrich proposed warning residents in Lebanon's Beqaa Valley before carrying out strikes against Hezbollah targets if Iran attacked Israel.
Supporters of the approach argued that operations in Lebanon would allow Israel to maintain pressure on Hezbollah while avoiding direct action that could undermine ongoing US diplomatic efforts with Tehran.
Energy Minister Eli Cohen also stressed the importance of deterrence while maintaining ties with Washington.
"We must not tear the rope with Trump, but the responses must be clear. If we respond, we must create deterrence," Cohen said.
Several ministers called for a stronger response. Minister Gila Gamliel said Israel should respond and "capture more territory from them", while Minister Orit Strock said Israel should impose a price that would make future attacks "not worthwhile".
Transportation Minister Miri Regev argued that Israel was "not a protectorate" and must "stop the ping-pong and get out of the equation".
In a post on X, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Israel would not consider itself constrained by the agreement, declaring that "Trump's agreement does not bind us" and vowing to dismantle Hezbollah.
At least 11 people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, among the deadliest since a June ceasefire. Meanwhile, Qatar den...
An artificial intelligence agent running an experimental store in San Francisco has recommended dismissing a human employee after the worker repeat...
The Qatar Football Association (QFA) has criticised the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for issuing a joint statement on FIFA governance wi...
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled or rerouted at Catania Airport over the past week as ash from Mount Etna’s ongoing eruption continues to disrupt air travel in Sicily.
Wildfires across England and Wales have reached their highest level on record, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council, as firefighters struggle to contain outbreaks following a spell of extreme heat.
The U.S. will impose unprecedented measures on Iran in order to economically isolate the country, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said.
U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to make the Strait of Hormuz part of U.S. territory have been mocked by Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, who said the sea passage "cannot be seized by tweet."
At least 47 people have been killed after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off eastern Indonesia early on Saturday, triggering small tsunami waves and dozens of aftershocks, officials say.
At least 11 people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, among the deadliest since a June ceasefire. Meanwhile, Qatar denied holding Iranian pilots. It said it had found the remains of one pilot after an airspace violation and had contacted Iran to coordinate a handover.
U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to make the Strait of Hormuz part of U.S. territory have been mocked by Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, who said the sea passage "cannot be seized by tweet."
The U.S. will impose unprecedented measures on Iran in order to economically isolate the country, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment