JERUSALEM, Aug 12: Israel’s right-wing opposition on Saturday ended its month-long support of the government’s actions in Lebanon, with one Likud MP branding the UN ceasefire agreement as a ‘shameful’ decision.

The ceasefire agreement is ‘a dangerous and shameful decision that caves in to terror’, Yuval Steinitz said.

“It means that anyone who creates a terror attack can erode previous UN decisions,” he said, referring to the alleged abduction of two Israeli servicemen by Hezbollah militants on July 12.

“Israel’s government should step down if it approves the proposal,” Mr Steinitz said. “This will be seen in the Middle East not only as a Hezbollah victory but will strengthen the Iranian and Syrian extremists camp.”

Several other Likud MPs, former ministers and right-wing politicians such as Israel Katz, Limor Livnat and Avigdor Lieberman also gave interviews to voice their displeasure at Israel’s acceptance of the UN resolution.

Mr Steinitz, member of parliament’s foreign affairs and defence committee, said that the government decision to launch a last-minute expanded military operation came too late.

“This is the end of the opposition’s absolute backing of the government,” he said. “The government should have sent the army in full force into southern Lebanon immediately at the start in order to prevent the rocket fire.”

Hezbollah has fired over 3,500 Katyusha rockets against northern Israel, causing tens of thousands of civilians to flee their homes and forcing others to remain in bomb shelters for a month.—AFP