Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sharply criticized the new framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon on Motzoei Shabbos, calling it a dangerous mistake and revealing that he has asked Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu to bring the accord before the cabinet for a formal vote.

Ben Gvir said he has opposed the agreement for weeks and argued that Israel should not rely on the Lebanese government to dismantle Hezbollah’s military capabilities.

“The agreement with Lebanon is a serious mistake,” Ben Gvir said. “I contacted the prime minister this evening and requested a cabinet vote. I have been fighting against this agreement for weeks. At the moment, we remain in control of most of the area, but the state of Lebanon will not disarm Hezbollah of its weapons. There is no reason to trust Lebanon to take Hezbollah’s weapons away. I will demand a cabinet vote. Only IDF soldiers will destroy Hezbollah. No other body will do it for us.”

His remarks followed the signing of a framework agreement by Israel, Lebanon, and the United States outlining the initial stages of an Israeli withdrawal from parts of southern Lebanon. Under the agreement, however, Israeli forces will continue operating inside the security zone until Hezbollah has been fully disarmed.

The deal emerged after extensive negotiations in Washington, where the parties reached understandings on launching a limited pilot program in two separate areas. As part of the arrangement, the IDF would pull back from designated sectors, allowing the Lebanese Armed Forces to move in and assume responsibility there.

One of the pilot zones is located south of the Litani River, while the other lies to the north. Although the IDF is expected to scale back its footprint within the security zone, it will not completely withdraw from Lebanese territory at this stage.

The pilot initiative is narrowly focused, with Israeli troops remaining deployed throughout the area while repositioning their forces to enable the Lebanese army to enter the agreed-upon locations.