Skepticism in Israel – new explosions heard in Lebanon

TT

Updated 09.26 | Published 08.51

 

Israeli extremist minister Itamar Ben-Gvir does not believe that the US agreement with Iran covers Israel and its warfare in Lebanon. Archive photo. Photo: Itay Cohen/AP/TT

The agreement between the US and Iran does not apply to Israel, objects a right-wing extremist minister in the Israeli government.

The Israeli military intends to remain in southern Lebanon. New skirmishes are reported there.

"We are not a party to this agreement. It does not protect our security," writes Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister of Homeland Security, on social media and further proclaims that Israel is not a subject of the US.

Ben-Gvir writes that Israeli forces should not be withdrawn from Lebanon at all. His reaction was the first from the Israeli government. Defense Minister Israel Katz announced shortly afterwards that Israel's military forces would remain in southern Lebanon indefinitely.

On Monday morning, an Israeli drone attacked a car in southern Lebanon, Lebanese media reported. Artillery fire was also fired at several communities. The Israeli military said earlier in the night that it had shot down a drone coming from Lebanon.

“Staying put”

In recent months, an Israeli ground invasion of its northern neighbor has been escalated step by step in a unilaterally declared "security zone" that is intended to keep the Shiite militia Hezbollah at bay.

According to the US and Iran, Lebanon is explicitly included in the new agreement. Israel has objected to Lebanon having been part of previous ceasefire agreements, which the parties had not clearly agreed to at the time.

According to a report in the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear to US President Donald Trump that Israeli forces will hold their positions in southern Lebanon and act against Hezbollah when necessary.

Israeli opposition leaders condemn the US agreement with Iran as devastating for Israel's security.

Trump was furious

On Sunday evening, Trump wrote on social media that "Israel should not carry out any more attacks anywhere in Lebanon", but added that Hezbollah or other groups should not attack Israel either.

Trump then came down hard on the Israeli leadership after an Israeli attack was again directed at an area in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

- It was so bad. I couldn't believe it, an hour before we were supposed to sign the agreement, said the US president, who said he was pissed at Benjamin Netanyahu:

- I let him know that. He has no fucking judgement.