Media: Israel warns Lebanon of civilian strikes if Hezbollah joins US-Iran war

Israel has sent an indirect warning to Lebanon, signalling it would target civilian infrastructure, including airports, if Hezbollah becomes involved in any US-Iran conflict, according to two senior Lebanese officials.

Neither the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor the Lebanese presidency responded immediately to requests for comment, Reuters reports.

The warning comes amid rising regional tensions and concerns that a potential escalation involving Iran could draw in additional forces.

Meanwhile, Lebanese newspaper Nidaa Al Watan reported that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri received assurances from Hezbollah that the organisation does not wish to participate in any military actions and relayed these signals to key government officials.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that, if confirmed, such commitments would be a positive step.

He also emphasised that concerns remain in Beirut due to discrepancies between these assurances and public statements by Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, who previously declared that the organisation would not remain neutral if Iran were attacked.

By Jeyhun Aghazada