During the security cabinet meeting Thursday night, ministers confronted Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz, arguing the current ceasefire in Lebanon is endangering soldiers — describing troops as being in a 'shooting gallery.' Netanyahu and Katz defended the arrangement, saying it has pros and cons but does not put troops at risk. The Chief of Staff told the ministers: 'You — the political level — wanted the ceasefire.'
The Thursday night cabinet session revealed a sharp rift between the political and military leaderships over the Lebanon ceasefire arrangement, now entering its eighth month. Ministers argued that the current rules of engagement have left IDF troops vulnerable to Hezbollah activity, with one minister quoted as saying soldiers feel they are in a 'shooting gallery.'
Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz rejected the criticism, asserting that the ceasefire has both advantages and drawbacks but does not endanger troops. The Chief of Staff directly addressed the ministers, telling them that the current arrangement was what the political echelon had sought.
As The Zioneer has reported over the past week, this is not the first time friction over Lebanon policy has surfaced. On Tuesday, former Prime Minister Bennett accused Netanyahu and Katz of lying about the IDF's freedom of action in southern Lebanon. A senior security source told our desk on Saturday that on the ground, the situation amounts to 'a war, not a ceasefire.' The backdrop to this cabinet meeting includes recent calls from some ministers to escalate military action, and directives from the top to open fire on any threat in the area.
5 developments
- DevelopingNetanyahu says troops have full freedom of action; report claims zero strikes in 48 hours
- StrongKatz: No restriction on IDF action to remove threats in Lebanon; Amir says no initiated ops, no ceasefire
- DevelopingNetanyahu, IDF chief detail tense Trump call and independent Iran strike readiness in cabinet
- StrongNetanyahu, Katz told troops to open fire on any threat in south Lebanon
Source and signal
- Internal intake