As David wrote earlier, the apparent end to the war with Iran shows conclusively that Donald Trump does not take orders from Benjamin Netanyahu. The reaction today from the Israeli PM may prove fairly conclusively that one can say the same thing in reverse.
Netanyahu gave a speech this afternoon to lay out Israel's position on the 'memorandum of understanding' (MOU) to end hostilities in the region, which still has not been published. He took pains to refrain from openly criticizing the proposal, but let it be known that he had still not been fully briefed on it, either. Netanyahu also said that the IDF would not pull out of Lebanon until the mission against Hezbollah was fulfilled, in a speech that otherwise sounded as though the war is largely over:
Netanyahu added that he and US President Donald Trump don't always "see eye to eye" at times, saying that "Israel's security interests need to be defended wisely."
"We will stay in the Lebanon security buffer zone for as long as necessary," he continued.
Netanyahu warned that "the struggle is not over," saying that Israel must "continue to stand guard, continue to be strong and determined to defend ourselves as much as necessary."
"We did it in Gaza, we did it in Lebanon, in Syria, in Yemen, we did it in the refugee camps in Judea and Samaria, we did it everywhere," Netanyahu continued.
Netanyahu mentioned that the bill for the October 7 massacres, which sparked the regional war nearly three years ago, still has not been fully paid. At least one terrorist remains outstanding:
He said that Israel had successfully killed nearly every terrorist who participated in the October 7 massacre, noting that he thinks there is "one more left."
"He will also be eliminated," said Netanyahu. "Israel will not allow terrorist organizations to camp on our borders."
It's not clear whether Netanyahu thinks this target is in Lebanon, or whether that is separate from the war with Hezbollah. Either way, however, Netanyahu made it clear that he does not feel bound by the MOU or the agreements Trump made with Iran in relation to Lebanon. The Iranian regime demanded that Lebanon be included in the ceasefire, which means the MOU may be on shakier ground than first thought.
It's important to remember that Israel cut a separate ceasefire with the Lebanese government, also under pressure from Trump. That agreement did not require Israel to withdraw, and it allowed Israel to target Hezbollah if the Iranian proxy terror network fired missiles and/or drones into Israel or at IDF forces in Lebanon. The agreement also requires Hezbollah to disarm, as did the November 2024 ceasefire, the 2006 ceasefire, another in 2000, and so on. The same cycle applies to Hamas and their 20-year run of control over Gaza, where nine previous ceasefires required demilitarization, and Hamas is currently reneging on an agreement to disarm to end the October 7 war there as well. Ceasefires without compliance is how we ended up with the regional war.
Hezbollah is still shooting at the IDF in Lebanon today, in fact:
Hezbollah fired several rockets at Israeli troops in southern Lebanon a short while ago, the military says, one of several attacks carried out by the terror group today.
The IDF also confirms striking Hezbollah operatives who “posed a threat” to forces in southern Lebanon today.
According to the military, the rockets fired at Israeli forces a short while ago were intercepted by air defenses. No sirens sounded in any towns in Israel.
Additionally, Hezbollah fired an anti-tank missile and several mortars at troops in southern Lebanon, in several separate attacks today, with no injuries caused, the IDF says.
This is where it might help to see the actual MOU. Does it cover Lebanon? One US official told The Times of Israel that the truce extends to Lebanon, but does not require the IDF to withdraw or prevent a response if attacked:
A senior US official says that the MOU signed yesterday with Iran is not conditioned on Israel withdrawing from Lebanon.
However, the deal still envisions a ceasefire that covers Lebanon, as well as Iran, the US official says in a briefing with reporters.
“The deal is a ceasefire, but it will not be a one-way ceasefire. If Iran is not able to control Hezbollah, and if they attack Israeli positions or Israeli towns, Israel will have the right to defend themselves and respond,” the US official says.
The Iranians claim something very different about the MOU and Lebanon. Regardless, it does not appear that Netanyahu will just let Hezbollah off the hook, regardless of what Iran or Trump wants from their negotiations. Perhaps it will help to get Netanyahu read in on the MOU at some point.
Editor's Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.
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