Netanyahu says state-of-the-art Russian weapons found in Lebanon, State Department supports targeting Hezbollah

(Patria) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told French newspapers that Israeli forces found "state-of-the-art" Russian weapons during searches of Hezbollah bases in southern Lebanon.

Netanyahu told Le Figaro, in an interview published on Wednesday, that according to a 2006 UN Security Council resolution, only the Lebanese army is allowed to possess weapons south of the Litani River, AFP reported.

"However, in this area, Hezbollah has dug hundreds of tunnels and shelters, where we have just found a quantity of state-of-the-art Russian weapons," Netanyahu was quoted as saying in the French article.

The Washington Post, citing Israeli officials, reported that Russian and Chinese anti-tank weapons were found in Israeli raids inside Lebanon since the conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah escalated last month.

Israel says the goal of its military campaign against Hezbollah is to make the region safe so that about 60,000 evacuated residents of northern Israel can return to their homes. Many left their homes due to cross-border shelling between Israel and Hezbollah after the war in Gaza began on October 7 last year.

"A new civil war in Lebanon would be a tragedy. It is certainly not our goal to provoke it. Israel has no intention of interfering in Lebanon's internal affairs," Netanyahu told Le Figaro.

"Our sole objective is to enable our citizens living along the border with Lebanon to go home and feel safe," he added.

Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in an escalating artillery duel since Hamas attacks on Israel triggered the war in Gaza.

Since Israel began its attacks on Hezbollah, at least 1,373 people have been killed in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The actual number is presumed to be higher, AFP states.

State Department Support for Israel

Israel has the right to target the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, even if it hides in civilian buildings in Lebanon, but it should do so in a way that protects civilians, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

Asked at a regular press briefing about an Israeli airstrike that destroyed a municipal building in the town of Nabatieh, killing 16 people, including the mayor, Miller said he could not comment on the specific attack but "we do not want to see civilian buildings destroyed."

"We understand that Hezbollah sometimes operates below civilian homes, inside civilian homes. We have seen footage, which has emerged over the past two weeks, of rockets and other military weapons being held in civilian homes," he said.

"Israel has the right to go after these legitimate targets, but it should do so in a way that protects civilian infrastructure, protects civilians," he said.

Washington supports limited Israeli incursions to attack and degrade Hezbollah, but the US opposes a broad bombing campaign of Beirut and attacks that do not avoid civilian damage, Miller said.

Lebanese officials condemned Wednesday's attack, which injured more than 50 people in Nabatieh, the provincial capital, saying it was proof that Israel's campaign against the armed group Hezbollah was now shifting to Lebanon.

Lebanon's interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the attack hit civilians who had gathered to coordinate aid.

Miller said it would be "unacceptable" if Israel intentionally targeted such a meeting, but said the circumstances would need to be verified.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, during a visit to northern Israel near the border, said Israel would not halt its attack on Hezbollah to allow for negotiations.

"Hezbollah is in great distress," he said in a statement. "We will conduct negotiations only under fire. I said this on the first day, I said it in Gaza, and I am saying it here too," he added.