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Russia warns Lebanon over Hezbollah tunnels
Russia warned Lebanon that it bears responsibility for Hezbollah terror tunnels running into Israeli territory.
By Jack Gold, World Israel News
Following the recent exposure of Hezbollah cross-border tunnels, Russia has warned Lebanon against breaching Israeli territory, the London-based A-Sharq Al-Awsat Arabic-language newspaper reported Monday.
Since launching Operation Northern Shield two weeks ago, the IDF has so far exposed four Hezbollah tunnels.
U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 was passed in 2006 at the conclusion of the Second Lebanon War, demanding a full cessation of hostilities, a withdrawal by Hezbollah to the Blue Line, and that the government of Lebanon and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) deploy their forces in the South. Israel has repeatedly charged that Hezbollah violated the resolution on many occasions.
The report was published after senior IDF officials met with their Russian counterparts last week in Moscow, where the Russians were updated on the details of Operation Northern Shield.
According to a source cited by the newspaper, the Russians turned to the Lebanese government despite Hezbollah’s responsibility for the tunnels. The move is consistent with Israel’s statements that it views the Lebanese government as responsible for any actions emanating from its territory that would harm Israeli sovereignty.
According to the Kremlin’s statement, Putin stressed to Netanyahu the need to maintain stability in the border area with Lebanon
The two leaders also discussed the situation in Syria, and according to the Russians, Putin emphasized the need to maintain cooperation between the IDF and the Russian army.
Israel views “the Lebanese government as responsible for everything that happens in the country and we warn Hezballah not to subordinate Lebanon to Iran’s agenda or to use Lebanon as a base for attacking Israel,” he added.
He also addressed the international community, saying that it “must understand that Israel will do what is necessary to defend itself, and that Israel demands international involvement in enforcing United Nations Security Council resolutions.”