The Israeli Security Cabinet is set to convene this evening at 5:30 p.m. local time to deliberate on a high-stakes ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, determined to push the deal through despite significant resistance, has embarked on an intense campaign to sway dissenting ministers, meeting with senior officials in marathon one-on-one discussions.

However, the path to approval is anything but smooth. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, representing the Religious Zionist Party, has upped the ante with a list of four non-negotiable demands tied to his faction's support. These demands underscore a hardline approach that reflects growing frustration with Hezbollah’s aggression and skepticism about Lebanon’s ability to enforce any truce.

Smotrich’s Bold Ultimatum

Smotrich’s demands, as reported by Channel 12 News’ Amit Legal, aim to impose stringent conditions on the ceasefire agreement:

1. Cabinet Oversight for Troop Withdrawals: Any retreat of IDF forces from Lebanese territory must receive explicit Cabinet approval, preventing unilateral actions.
2. Swift Policy Enforcement: Violations of the ceasefire must be addressed within 48 hours, ensuring rapid and decisive responses.
3. No Rebuilding of Destroyed Infrastructure: Every structure demolished in southern Lebanon during the conflict must be classified as military infrastructure, barring reconstruction efforts that could enable Hezbollah’s resurgence.
4. Collective Responsibility for Violations: Lebanon as a whole would be held accountable for ceasefire breaches, triggering strikes on its infrastructure.

Smotrich’s stance reflects a broader conservative critique of the proposed truce, which many view as a potential concession to Hezbollah rather than a victory for Israel.

🚨MORE GOOD NEWS: The 4 demands from MK Smotrich and the Religious Zionist parties in return for their support of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon:

1⃣Any withdrawal of IDF troops from a sector in Lebanon will require a Cabinet vote.

2⃣Approval of an enforcement policy of…

— Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) November 26, 2024

Divisions Within the Cabinet

While Netanyahu has garnered the support of key allies like Defense Minister Israel Katz and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, opposition within the Cabinet remains vocal. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar expressed cautious support but warned that enforcement would be the true test of the agreement. He emphasized preventing Hezbollah’s presence south of the Litani River and thwarting its rearmament efforts. “We will not allow a return to the status quo ante,” Sa’ar vowed.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter are among the notable skeptics. Dichter, a former Shin Bet chief, criticized the deal as reminiscent of UN Resolution 1701, which he claimed only emboldened Hezbollah after the Second Lebanon War. “This agreement must not become a copy-paste of past failures,” Dichter insisted.

JUST IN⚡️

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on Ceasefire with Hezbollah:

“Reaching an agreement with Lebanon is a grave mistake—a historic missed opportunity to eliminate Hezbollah.

While I understand the constraints and justifications, this remains a serious error.… pic.twitter.com/paeSzXunbH

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 25, 2024

Outrage Among Northern Communities

Opposition to the ceasefire extends beyond the Cabinet, with northern residents and local leaders expressing outrage at the perceived capitulation. Metula Mayor David Azoulay lambasted the deal as a “surrender to terrorism,” accusing the government of prioritizing political expediency over security. “This is not peace; it is appeasement,” he declared.

Moshav Margaliot Chairman Eitan Davidi echoed these concerns, emphasizing the necessity of a security buffer zone to protect Israeli communities from Hezbollah. “Northern residents cannot endure another year of uncertainty, only to find Hezbollah at their doorstep again,” he warned.

Netanyahu’s Persuasion Campaign

In a bid to quell dissent, Netanyahu has planned meetings with northern mayors and council leaders to outline the deal’s terms and address their security concerns. Yet, his efforts may not be enough to bridge the widening chasm between his administration and the Israeli public. Critics from within his own Likud party, such as Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli, have lambasted the agreement as dangerously shortsighted. Chikli’s fiery post on social media compared the deal to Esau’s infamous trade of his birthright for a bowl of stew, warning against sacrificing long-term security for short-term calm.

Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli On Ceasefire Talks: ‘NO WAY!’

"The series of strikes on Hezbollah's leadership and the ground operations have brought about enormous operational achievements; under no circumstances should we sell these for peace that is like a bowl of lentil… pic.twitter.com/RpPP6n9AMZ

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 25, 2024

A Precarious Decision

As the Cabinet prepares to cast its votes, the stakes could not be higher. With tensions already sky-high following Hezbollah’s October 8 offensive in coordination with Hamas, any perception of weakness could embolden Israel’s adversaries. Conversely, rejecting the deal risks prolonging a costly conflict with no clear end in sight.

Tonight’s meeting promises to be a turning point in the ongoing confrontation with Hezbollah, shaping not only the immediate security landscape but also the broader trajectory of Israeli-Lebanese relations. Will Netanyahu secure the consensus he seeks, or will the fractures within his government derail the deal at the eleventh hour? One thing is certain: the decision will reverberate far beyond the walls of the Cabinet room.