Hardline Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has criticised the US-brokered Israel-Lebanon agreement, calling it a “serious mistake and the pipe dream of advisers who are dragging the prime minister into incorrect decisions”.

“Hezbollah will only grow stronger and instead of defeating it Israel is coming to terms with its very existence,” the far-right minister said on X.

Ben Gvir insisted that the deal, which would see Hezbollah withdraw from southern Lebanon, cannot be enforced and the Lebanese state cannot be trusted.

He also chastised Netanyahu for giving in to US pressures to reach a deal.

“The prime minister should have told President Trump: We love and appreciate you, but Israel is a sovereign and independent state,” Ben Gvir wrote.

“There are moments when one must know how to say ‘no’ even to the president of the United States, and when we don’t do so we will meet Hezbollah next time when it is much stronger and more dangerous.”