Idf came under intense public defense on Tuesday as Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, described the force as the “most moral military in the world” during an interview focused on the fragile Israel-Lebanon cease-fire. The exchange came as officials from Israel and Lebanon met in Washington to build on last week’s 10-day cease-fire agreement and as the Israeli military said it intercepted rocket fire that crossed into Northern Israel from Lebanon.
Cease-Fire Talks Continue Under Pressure
Danon said Israel welcomes direct talks with Lebanon and shares the goal of seeing “sovereign Lebanon” control its own territory. He said Hezbollah is trying to create chaos and ignite another cycle of violence, and argued that Hezbollah should not be part of the equation in Southern Lebanon or inside the Lebanese government. The remarks came while President Trump announced a three-week extension of the cease-fire, though Danon said details remain few.
Hezbollah said the rocket attack was retaliation for what it called Israel violating the 10-day cease-fire that took effect last week. That clash in claims underscores how quickly the agreement is being tested, even as both sides had pledged to halt offensive operations and Lebanon committed to take meaningful steps to prevent Hezbollah from launching attacks on Israel.
Idf, Hezbollah, and the Question of Control
Danon said the United States and other countries that want to help Lebanon should help it gain real control over the situation. He said there is a wide gap between declarations from Beirut and the government’s ability to act, adding that if Lebanon does not control its military, it will not be able to change much. In his view, the central issue is whether the Lebanese state can actually mobilize its forces effectively.
He also said he welcomes statements from Beirut about removing the Iranian ambassador, but added that Hezbollah is still present and active. The interview placed the Idf at the center of a wider debate about security, sovereignty, and whether Lebanon can enforce the terms of the cease-fire on the ground.
Immediate Reactions From Both Sides
Danon told Geoff Bennett that Israel and Lebanon have “the same goal” in wanting to get rid of Hezbollah, while warning that the group is trying to attack Israeli communities in the northern part of Israel. He said the direct talks should continue, with U. S. involvement playing a key role.
The Israeli military said it intercepted the rocket fire from Lebanon on Tuesday. Hezbollah said its strike was in response to Israeli cease-fire violations, keeping the confrontation tied to the terms of the fragile truce. The Idf discussion also came after a question about a major Israeli strike in April that killed more than 300 people and wounded more than 1, 000 others, highlighting the civilian harm debate that continues to shadow the conflict.
What Happens Next
For now, the next phase depends on whether the cease-fire extension holds and whether direct talks can narrow the gap between diplomatic promises and battlefield reality. The Israeli side is signaling that Hezbollah remains the main obstacle, while Lebanon is being pressed to prove it can exercise meaningful control in the south. As those talks continue, the Idf will remain at the center of the political and military argument shaping the next move.
