Israel has decided to maintain its military presence in southern Lebanon, where it is fighting the Iran-backed Hezbollah, despite the recent peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Monday that if Iran were to attack Israel due to the events in Lebanon, Israel would retaliate “with full force.” He stated that Israel will not compromise on its security interests and vowed to continue staying in security zones in Lebanon, Syria, or Gaza “without any time limit.”

Security Stance and Coalition Response

While there was no immediate comment from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, members of his coalition stated that Israel will “not be bound” by the terms of the U.S.-Iran agreement. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir rejected the agreement, arguing that it does not bind Israel and insisting the country would make its own security decisions. He claimed the deal fails to adequately protect Israeli security interests and argued against withdrawing from territory captured in Lebanon.

Diplomatic Reactions

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Israel must halt its military operations in Lebanon for the U.S.-backed peace deal to take effect. The peace agreement, announced by President Donald Trump, came a day after Trump warned Israel against further strikes in Lebanon, stating that such actions could jeopardize the ongoing peace process.

US-Israel Relations Strained

The situation has exacerbated tensions between the U.S. and Israeli leadership. Trump told Axios that he was caught off guard by an Israeli strike in Beirut and reacted angrily toward Netanyahu after being briefed by his advisers. “I was so pissed off. I let him know. He has no f***ing judgement. I let him know that,” Trump told the publication. Earlier, Vice President JD Vance had noted that the U.S. and Israel do not always share aligned interests, highlighting the reported strains between Trump and Netanyahu.

Benjamin Netanyahu will seek re-election this year, his party Likud confirmed on Wednesday, moving quickly to end speculation after President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty about the Israeli prime minister's political future. The announcement sets the stage for Israel's first national election since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack, a security failure that triggered a major assault on the Gaza Strip and defined Netanyahu's current term.

In a brief statement shared with Reuters, Likud said Netanyahu would stand in the election and, God willing, would win. The election has not yet been formally announced but must be held by October. The confirmation follows comments made by Trump to ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl, who posted on X that the President said he did not know if Netanyahu would seek another term. Trump was quoted as saying, "I don't know, he's had an amazing career. Does he want to continue?"

Political Context and Challenges

Netanyahu has faced a turbulent term since returning to power in December 2022, leading the most right-wing coalition in Israeli history. Before the wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, his government faced mass anti-government protests. The upcoming vote will test his coalition's viability amid ongoing regional conflicts.

Polling data indicates significant hurdles for Netanyahu's re-election. A June 9 survey by the Jerusalem-based Israel Democracy Institute found that 61% of Israelis believe Netanyahu should not run again. Furthermore, polls have repeatedly shown his coalition would struggle to win a majority in the next election.

Opposition Dynamics and US Relations

While Netanyahu's coalition faces internal polling challenges, opposition parties also confront difficulties. Polling suggests an anti-Netanyahu bloc could fall short of a parliamentary majority unless it forms a coalition with Arab parties, an option some opposition leaders have rejected.

U.S. and Israeli officials maintain that Trump and Netanyahu, who launched the Iran war together in February, still have a close relationship, though recent weeks have exposed strains. Trump has pushed Israel to curb military action in Lebanon while Washington negotiates a peace deal with Tehran. Last week, Trump acknowledged calling Netanyahu "crazy" during a heated phone call, while also asserting the two leaders get along well.