The ceasefire in southern Lebanon has done very little to actually stop the fighting in the area, with Israeli forces killing hundreds of civilians in the ongoing offensives since the deal went into effect. Even this dubious ceasefire is proving increasingly controversial within the Israeli cabinet, however, with multiple ministers demanding it be formally disavowed outright and the war be escalated substantially beyond where it presently is.
Unsurprisingly, the opponents of the ceasefire are National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, both known for their far-right positions and territorial ambitions.
Ben-Gvir suggested that Israel should totally end all electricity flow within Lebanon for the duration of the war, and that they should occupy the entire country up to the Zahrani River. Similarly, he suggested that every time Hezbollah uses an explosive drone against Israeli forces, the military should destroy 10 homes within the Lebanese capital of Beirut.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visits Al-Aqsa compound also known to Jews as the Temple Mount, in Jerusalem’s Old City August 13, 2024, in this screengrab obtained from a handout video. Temple Mount Administration/Handout via REUTERS
The far-right ministers are being supported by Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, who similarly denounced the ceasefire as a “farce” and demanding that Israel respond to all opposition with “disproportionate force.”
It’s difficult to argue that isn’t what’s been happening already, with 22 Israeli soldiers killed since the war began and the IDF having killed in excess of 3,200 Lebanese, including hundreds of women and children.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said he continues to insist on a deal that would see Israel withdraw from southern Lebanon. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared to dismiss this call, insisting Israel has every right to continue its offensives during the ceasefire.
The IDF has issued new evacuation orders for the city of Tyre in southern Lebanon, and already substantial airstrikes have been reported against the civilian infrastructure within the city.
