Key facts
- Israeli Science Minister Gila Gamliel stated Israel is not bound by a US-Iran agreement and will continue military operations.
- Senior Israeli officials, including Itamar Ben-Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, and Israel Katz, reject a US-Iran agreement.
- Gamliel indicated Israel's intention to maintain its military presence in southern Lebanon.
- Ben-Gvir emphasized Israel's sovereignty and independence in security decisions.
- Smotrich called the agreement 'bad for Israel and the entire free world.'
Israeli Science Minister Gila Gamliel stated that Israel does not consider itself bound by an agreement reached between the United States and Iran, asserting that the nation will continue its military operations. Gamliel, who is a member of Israel's political-security cabinet, told Israel's Channel 7 that "We are not a party to the agreement, and from our perspective, we will continue until we achieve the goal of disarming Hezbollah."
Senior Israeli officials, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Defense Minister Israel Katz, have also rejected the US-Iran agreement. Ben-Gvir emphasized Israel's sovereignty and independence in security decisions, stating that "Trump's agreement does not bind us. Israel is not subject to the United States, and we are an independent and sovereign nation." He argued that Israel's security decisions should not be shaped by international pressure, referencing past agreements as examples where succumbing to such pressure led to negative outcomes. Ben-Gvir mentioned that he has consistently communicated these views to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Smotrich called the agreement 'bad for Israel and the entire free world' and said Israel must continue the campaign to topple the regime itself. Katz stated Israel will not withdraw from seized territory in Lebanon and will retaliate if Iran attacks it over events in Lebanon.