In a strong statement, Ben Gvir said, ‘Trump’s deal does not bind us. Israel is not subordinate to the United States but an independent and sovereign state.’ He added that Israel is not a party to the agreement and believes it does not guarantee its security interests.

He further insisted that Israel should not settle for anything less than the complete dismantling of Hezbollah and should avoid withdrawing from territories in Lebanon currently under Israeli control. According to him, past international pressure driven agreements have repeatedly come at a heavy security cost for Israel.

Referring to earlier arrangements such as the Oslo Accords, the 2006 Lebanon ceasefire, and policies related to Gaza, Ben Gvir argued that these deals created long term security challenges rather than solving them.

He also warned that any attack on Israel from Lebanon should be met with immediate retaliation, including operations in Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiyeh, which he described as a Hezbollah stronghold.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also criticized the proposed arrangement, calling it harmful to Israel’s interests. While acknowledging past gains from joint US-Israel pressure on Iran, he stressed that continued pressure is necessary to prevent Tehran from advancing toward nuclear weapons capability.

Opposition leader and former defense minister Benny Gantz also expressed concerns, warning against any deal that could limit Israel’s military freedom of action in Lebanon or force withdrawals that might endanger civilians in northern Israel.

These reactions come shortly after President Trump announced that a significant US-Iran agreement had been reached. He said the deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz for maritime trade and end certain US naval restrictions.

The comments from Israeli officials highlight growing unease in Jerusalem, suggesting that while the agreement may be advancing diplomatically, Israel is not ready to align its security policy with its terms.