Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir is openly challenging the notion that fighting in Lebanon has entered a new phase of restraint, insisting there is effectively no ceasefire and urging Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu to make that message clear to President Trump, Arutz Sheva reports.

In a wide-ranging interview, Ben Gvir expressed concern that diplomatic pressure from Washington could limit Israel’s military freedom of action against Hezbollah and undermine gains achieved during the war.

“There is reason for concern. I have a son in Lebanon, and we are committed to him and to all IDF soldiers. I am telling Prime Minister Netanyahu – you have done wonderful things, you have friendly relations with Donald Trump, you need to go to him and tell him the truth. We cannot cease fire, we cannot restrict ourselves. All of Lebanon needs to be our ‘playground.’ It cannot be that IDF commanders have to calculate – in one area we attack and in another we do not,” he said.

Ben Gvir also rejected claims that Israeli forces currently enjoy unrestricted operational authority in Lebanon, contradicting recent statements from Defense Minister Israel Katz.

“Soldiers can respond when they are fired upon – but that is not enough. It is not true to say there are no limitations. The IDF cannot operate everywhere – and that is a limitation.”

At the same time, the minister defended Katz personally, arguing that responsibility for any restrictions ultimately rests elsewhere.

“I must say about Minister Katz: he is fighting for responses and strikes to be carried out. He is not the problem. The finger needs to be pointed at the Prime Minister,” he added.

The minister said many on the Israeli right are worried that the American administration could pressure Jerusalem into concessions that would weaken Israel’s strategic position and affect the country’s domestic political landscape.

Addressing reports of a possible Israeli withdrawal from areas in Lebanon, Ben Gvir said he is actively lobbying Netanyahu to reject such a move.

“I very much hope that does not happen. I am doing everything to convince Benjamin Netanyahu that this would be a mistake. We need freedom of action everywhere – in Dahiyeh, in Beirut. I am telling the Prime Minister: let’s not go backward.”

Ben Gvir argued that the ultimate decisions belong to Israel’s leadership and should not be dictated by any foreign government, regardless of how close the alliance may be.

“With all due respect to Trump – he is not the story. The story here is Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel is not another star on the American flag. Our Prime Minister needs to make decisions, and it depends on him. There is no situation in which we begin acting according to dictates from a friend – even if he is a great friend.”

While emphasizing his appreciation for President Trump, Ben Gvir said American interests do not always align perfectly with Israel’s security needs.

“Trump loves Israel and is a great friend of Israel – but he has other considerations. I do not want to be ungrateful, because Trump has done great things and we need to thank him for that. But there is no reality in which we implement pre-October 7 concepts in Lebanon. All of Lebanon needs to be in our sights. There cannot be even one place where Hezbollah terrorists have immunity. I do not trust the Lebanese, and they too need to pay the price.”

The minister also pushed back against comments made by Vice President JD Vance, who recently suggested that certain members of Israel’s government were contributing to rising tensions in the region.

“He would never allow an organization like Hezbollah to be on the border. They would never allow their freedom of action to be restricted. That is exactly what I want from the Vice President. As far as I am concerned, with all due respect to Vance, IDF soldiers come first.”

Turning to Iran, Ben Gvir voiced deep skepticism about diplomatic efforts to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and warned that Israel may eventually have to act independently.

“The Americans are very naïve if they think the Iranians will abandon their nuclear plans and cancel and stop all their dreams of destroying Israel. I think the moment is approaching when the State of Israel will understand that it is our responsibility to deal with the threat and act against it on our own.”

The minister also weighed in on the evolving political landscape ahead of Israel’s next elections, particularly speculation that former Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter may launch an independent political campaign.

Ben Gvir urged Winter not to run alone and instead encouraged him to join forces with Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich.

“I think Bezalel Smotrich should run on a joint list with Ofer Winter that appeals to the part of the religious-Zionist public that does not vote for me.”

He argued that an independent Winter candidacy could ultimately weaken the broader right-wing bloc.

“Winter does not pass the electoral threshold and knows that every vote that goes to him if he runs independently will go to Bennett or Eisenkot. I very much hope Winter internalizes that he cannot run if he does not pass the threshold. He should try to join another party. I also faced this situation and joined Bezalel in the past, and there is no reason Winter should not learn from that experience,” he concluded.

{Matzav.com}