Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led a meeting of the Security Cabinet on Thursday, discussing Israel's plans for military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Netanyahu told those present that there is "no agreement at the moment, and therefore I am not bringing it [to the Security Cabinet] for approval, because Hezbollah has opposed [an agreement]."
"If Hezbollah agrees [to a deal], I will bring it for your approval," Netanyahu told the officials.
Other ministers present also commented on the situation, Walla learned.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (Otzma Yehudit) directly addressed Netanyahu, calling on him to present the "reality in the North" to US President Donald Trump.
"Go to the US, take children from Kiryat Shmona and Metula with you. Tell Trump: 'We love you, but we must respond [and strike] the weak points of Hezbollah terrorists in Dahiyeh,'" he said, referring to a Beirut suburb where the terror group is headquartered.
"There needs to be a military maneuver. Even if there is a confrontation, he will get over it, and our soldiers are more important," Ben-Gvir added.
Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen (Likud) said that we need to "tell ourselves the truth," adding that "a normal country would have smashed" Hezbollah.
Hezbollah does not want a ceasefire, Elkin says
MK Ze'ev Elkin (New Hope-United Right) argued that Hezbollah "does not want a ceasefire. We can wait a little longer, but we need to respond."
National Missions Minister Orit Strock (Religious Zionism Party) called to "change the border - we need to move in that direction," implying support for pushing deeper into Lebanon.
Development of the Negev and Galilee and National Resilience Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf (Otzma Yehudit) noted that his son asked him about the ceasefire, and in response, he answered, "During a lunch break, you eat - during a ceasefire, you shoot."
"We cannot please the US. Time is not on our side," Wasserlauf added.
However, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich presented a different position, arguing that "a ceasefire under these constraints would be a huge achievement."
IDF Chief: Area up to Litani to be clear of Hezbollah
IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir told the authority figures on Friday that the entire area south of the Litani River will be cleared of Hezbollah infrastructure and terrorists.
"Hezbollah has not been destroyed, but it is weaker than ever," said Zamir. "It is defeated, and wherever we reach it, we destroy it. We have removed the threat of invasion from Lebanon. We have no intention of withdrawing from territories we have conquered. We are there to stay for the long term."
He added that the IDF will remain in the area to maintain a security buffer, noting the military will have complete freedom of action to eliminate threats and to prevent Hezbollah's rearmament.
"We have created a new security reality," Zamir continued. "We are on the front lines of the communities, and we will not move from there. Hezbollah must not be allowed to recover after we have dealt it a severe blow."
"The role of the leadership is to create stability in a period of instability, and this is a complex challenge," Zamir added.
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.