[96441] Political and security storm: Claims of restrictions on the IDF in Lebanon and mutual accusations in the system

Political and security tension surrounding the fighting in Lebanon

A political storm broke out following the words of former Prime Minister and Chairman of the 'Beyachad' party, Naftali Bennett, who claimed that the statements by Netanyahu and Israel Katz regarding the IDF's freedom of action in Lebanon are not true. Bennett, who presents a sharp critical line against the government, claimed that "the hands of our boys in Lebanon are tied," and that soldiers are not allowed to shoot at Hezbollah terrorists they identify establishing themselves in the field. According to him, as reported in various channels including Daphna Liel and Ziv Rubinstein, aerial activity has ceased and the clumsiness in decision-making is endangering the lives of the fighters.

In response, the offices of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, and the Chief of Staff issued a joint statement clarifying that the IDF will continue to act decisively to thwart threats and maintain the security zone. At the same time, targeted attacks by the IDF against terrorist squads in the Ali al-Tahar ridge area were reported, which were intended to illustrate the continuation of activity in the field.

On the diplomatic level, News from the Field on Telegram reports that the negotiations for an arrangement in Lebanon are encountering difficulties, with the Lebanese Parliament Speaker, Nabih Berri, opposing Israeli demands within the framework of the Washington Declaration. On the other hand, an American official stated that the talks are intended to end the cycle of violence, while Iran threatens through its spokespersons that it will respond to any violation of the memorandum of understanding by Israel.

In the internal political arena, the situation is not quiet. News in Real Time on Telegram reports that the leaders of Shas and United Torah Judaism are threatening a boycott of the coalition leaders' meeting on the grounds that they are not part of it. At the same time, Israel Ganz, head of the Binyamin Regional Council, sharply attacked Bennett, accusing him of promoting a policy that will lead to a "terror state" in the heart of the country, remarks which received critical backing from Amichai Chikli.