ALBAWABA - On Monday, Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against a Lebanon ceasefire pact with Hezbollah. Ben Gvir called the accord a "grave mistake."
The proposed truce is part of U.S.-led diplomatic attempts to stop Israel-Hezbollah hostilities, which escalated on September 23 after nearly a year of cross-border hostilities due to the Gaza conflict with Hamas.
Ben Gvir wrote on X (previously Twitter) that military actions offer a "historic opportunity" to neutralize Hezbollah. He acknowledged the obstacles of such an attempt, but called any suspension of hostilities a mistake and urged the Israeli government to stay active.
After Hamas's surprise onslaught on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, several right-wing figures have demanded a Gaza war triumph.
According to Axios, the U.S. proposal calls for a 60-day ceasefire in southern Lebanon to allow the Lebanese Army to take over. The treaty also creates an international council to oversee implementation.
U.S. ambassador Amos Hochstein's suggestion, given during his recent visits to Israel and Lebanon, reportedly advances peace negotiations.
Diplomatic talks haven't reduced tensions. The Israeli military said that Hezbollah launched 250 rockets from Lebanon on Sunday, the most in weeks. Since late September, Israel has increased bombings against Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut's southern suburbs and elsewhere throughout Lebanon.
Since October 2023, the violence has killed many. Lebanon's Ministry of Health reports 3,750 martyrs, whereas Israel reports 82 military and 47 civilian casualties in 13 months of fighting.
As Netanyahu considers the U.S. truce proposal, both sides continue to fight.
