A coalition of Likud Central Committee members, bereaved families, civil society activists, and members of the High Ground Forum issued an urgent appeal Tuesday morning to Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Katz, and the security cabinet, calling for full operational freedom for the IDF in Lebanon. The signatories demand a decisive outcome on all fronts — Lebanon, Judea and Samaria, and the Gaza Strip — saying 'we are done with the round system; this time we fight and decide.' The appeal was released as pressure reportedly mounts from the U.S. to scale down operations.
Tuesday's appeal marks the latest expression of public pressure on Israel's political leadership over perceived restrictions on IDF operations in southern Lebanon. The statement, released by Likud Central Committee members, bereaved families, civil society activists, and the High Ground Forum, explicitly cites 'heavy American pressure' and warnings from soldiers on the ground in Gaza and Lebanon that their hands are tied and strike capabilities are challenged. The signatories frame their demand as a moral obligation to the fallen, border residents, and troops — vowing that the heavy price paid must not be in vain.
This follows weeks of growing unease among right-of-center figures and commentators over reported tightening of engagement rules in southern Lebanon. As The Zioneer reported on June 20, the political echelon ordered the IDF to cease fire in southern Lebanon, with military officials reportedly opposing the directive. On June 16, retired senior military figure Hillel Bitton Rosen called for lifting fire restrictions on Israeli troops in Lebanon, and on June 19, Margaliot council head Eitan Davidi urged massive retaliation after four IDF soldiers were killed in the south.
The appeal's timing — amid reports of U.S. pressure and internal cabinet debate over a potential withdrawal — suggests the issue remains politically charged. The signatories' call for 'full freedom of action' and for ending the 'round system' reflects a coherent strand of opinion within the ruling party and its support base, though the broader cabinet's stance remains unclear.
- DevelopingKatz: IDF has full backing, freedom of action against all threats in Lebanon, Gaza
- StrongKahana calls on Netanyahu to demand Iran's Imam Hussein Brigade leave Lebanon before IDF withdrawal
- StrongNetanyahu tells aides withdrawal from southern Lebanon is a 'red line' as US pressure mounts
- DevelopingBereaved families' forum holds emergency meeting in Jerusalem, demands full victory in Lebanon
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