Putin Warns Netanyahu: No Surprise War on Lebanon

Diplomatic efforts are actively underway to dissuade Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from initiating a widespread conflict in Lebanon, according to a diplomatic source. In discussions with leaders from prominent global powers including the U.S., Russia, and France, Netanyahu expressed his intent to “discipline Hezbollah,” as reported by the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper.

The source highlighted a caution from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has explicitly warned Netanyahu about the catastrophic repercussions a sudden war on Lebanon could invoke for both nations. Putin pointed out that unlike the drones and missiles from Iran that took hours to reach Israel, any military retaliation from Lebanon could strike Israel within minutes.

Furthermore, Russia is persistently working to avert any escalation of hostilities. It has advised both Lebanon and Hezbollah to refrain from participating in any Iranian retaliatory actions against Israel, thereby hoping to prevent a cycle of responses and counter-responses that could lead to broader regional instability.