IDF to remain in southern Lebanon after ceasefire, Netanyahu tells Cabinet

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has held an emergency security cabinet phone meeting amid rising tensions over a reported ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. The discussions, convened at short notice, revealed internal disagreements within the Israeli leadership, even as Netanyahu confirmed that the Israel Defense Forces would remain deployed in southern Lebanon following the planned ceasefire.

The meeting was urgently convened, with key ministers being notified just five minutes before it began, Ynet news portal reports.

Ynet also reported that Netanyahu’s phone conference with members of the security cabinet was briefly disrupted due to a technical malfunction before being resumed. The portal claims that ministers expressed anger after learning about the ceasefire from a statement by US President Donald Trump. Netanyahu informed them that a ceasefire in Lebanon had been agreed, prompting confusion among ministers over the fact that the decision had been announced before formal approval.

On the night of April 16, key Israeli ministers reportedly held a four-hour meeting but failed to approve a provision allowing for a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Netanyahu also told the security cabinet that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would remain in their positions in southern Lebanon after the ceasefire takes effect on April 17.

By Vafa Guliyeva