Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted a series of meetings on Tuesday with government ministers, senior defence officials and opponents of a ceasefire deal ahead of a Security Cabinet meeting expected to pass it.
Israel is under pressure by the White House to finalize a deal before Nov. 28, the American holiday of Thanksgiving, The New York Times reported.
A ceasefire appears unpopular with Netanyahu’s base. After the Security Cabinet vote, he is expected to make a statement to the media during which he will pitch the agreement as a “temporary event,” website N12 reported.
According to Maariv, a senior political official said that one of the main reasons the government seeks a ceasefire is its fear of a U.N. Security Council decision against Israel during the remainder of the Biden administration, which would force Israel into a still-worse deal.
Even after President-elect Donald Trump takes power, a hostile U.N. Security Council decision, once passed, will be difficult to cancel as it would require Russian and Chinese support, the official said.
According to emerging details of the agreement, Israel would have 60 days to withdraw its forces from Southern Lebanon while Hezbollah moves north of the Litani River. Lebanese troops would fill the vacuum.
A sticking point of the deal is Netanyahu’s insistence that Israel retains freedom of action should Hezbollah break the agreement and resume its attacks.
According to the official, Israel will receive a letter from the U.S. acknowledging its right to act freely against Hezbollah violations.
“The security concept has changed — Israel will react in Lebanon against any threat, contrary to the policy of the last 20 years,” he said.
The ceasefire is built upon U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701. Adopted to end the 2006 Lebanon War, it created a buffer zone in Southern Lebanon, allowing only the Lebanese government and the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to deploy forces in the area.
The resolution has been presented as a “linchpin of peace” by the United Nations. Israel views it as a failure, pointing out that Hamas has built miles of tunnels and terrorist infrastructure in the area in preparation for an Oct. 7-style attack. Hezbollah also has attacked with impunity with UNIFIL unable to prevent it.
Leaders of Israel’s northern regional authorities have voiced the strongest opposition to a ceasefire. Netanyahu met with them on Tuesday to try and blunt their opposition.
These opponents reject any ceasefire that leaves Hezbollah in place, viewing it as a broken promise by the government, which has made the safe return of Israel’s northern residents a central war goal.
Some 60,000 northern residents were evacuated from their homes shortly after the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, as a result of steady Hezbollah rocket fire. They remain in hotels and other temporary residences across Israel.
On Monday, a number of them expressed their frustration to Hebrew media. Eitan Davidi, chairman of Moshav Margaliot in the Upper Galilee, told Channel 12 that Netanyahu’s government is “handing over the residents of the north to Hezbollah.”
“Never has there been such an abandonment. It’s a crime to do this to the residents of the north,” he said.
Kiryat Shmona Mayor Avihai Stern, said, “I call on our leaders to stop and think about the children of Kiryat Shmona. Look them well in the eyes and don’t risk their fate of becoming the next hostages. This agreement brings Oct. 7 closer to the north.”
David Azoulay, head of the Metula Local Council, called the ceasefire “a surrender agreement,” telling Channel 12 that he is urging his residents not to return to their homes.
Members of Netanyahu’s government have voiced opposition to a ceasefire as well, most notably National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who on Monday warned that it would be a “big mistake.”
“I understand all the constraints and reasons, and it is still a grave mistake. You have to listen to the commanders fighting in the field. Listen to the heads of the (local) authorities. Precisely now, when Hezbollah is beaten and longs for a ceasefire, it is forbidden to stop,” he said.
Ben-Gvir was not invited to the meetings held by the prime minister on Tuesday, Channel 12 reported.
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