- October 17, 2024
- 11:53 pm
- Israel
“In this area, Hezbollah has dug hundreds of tunnels and hiding places, where we have just found a large amount of the most advanced Russian weapons.” – Netanyahu for Le Figaro.
During recent raids on Hezbollah bases in southern Lebanon, the Israeli military discovered modern Russian weapons. The findings highlight the close ties between Hezbollah and Russia and raise Israeli security concerns in the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated this in an interview with a French newspaper. Le Figaro published October 16, 2024.
Important aspects of Netanyahu's interview
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the following points in his interview Le Figaro:
- According to a 2006 UN resolution, only the Lebanese army is allowed to have weapons south of the Litani River.
- Hezbollah violated this resolution by creating Russian weapons caches and tunnels in the region.
- “Israel does not intend to interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs, but wants to protect its citizens along the border.”
Direct quote from Netanyahu:
“Our goal is not to provoke, but to allow our citizens living along the border with Lebanon to return home and feel safe.”
What was found in Lebanon?
The Israeli military has released footage and photos of weapons found in a civilian residential building in southern Lebanon. The most important Russian weapons identified in Hezbollah caches include:
- ATGM “Kornet” (anti-tank missile system)
- MANPADS “Igla” (man-portable anti-aircraft missile system)
According to the information on the weapon, it was produced between 2018 and 2021. These weapons are among the most modern weapons used by terrorist groups in the region.
Reasons for Israel's Concerns
Israel believes that Hezbollah's presence of such weapons poses a serious threat to the security of the region, especially against the backdrop of instability in Lebanon. Netanyahu also stressed that another civil war in Lebanon would be a “tragedy” but that Israel's intervention in the conflict is not part of his plans.
Table: Main IDF findings from Hezbollah
| Weapon type | Description | Production date |
|---|---|---|
| ATGM “Kornet” | Anti-tank missile system | 2018-2021 |
| MANPADS “Igla” | Man-portable anti-aircraft missile system | 2018-2021 |
International resolutions and reactions to the findings
A 2006 UN Security Council resolution bans all weapons in the area south of the Litani River, with the exception of the Lebanese Army. However, the discovery of Russian weapons in the hands of Hezbollah demonstrates that terrorist groups are actively violating this ban.
Netanyahu quote from Le Figaro:
“In this area, Hezbollah has dug hundreds of tunnels and hiding places, where we have just found a large amount of the most advanced Russian weapons.”
The discovery of Russian-made weapons among Hezbollah militants once again focused attention on violations of international resolutions and the strengthening of Russia’s role in supporting terrorist groups in the Middle East. Israel continues to strengthen its defenses and cooperate with international partners to protect its citizens despite internal and external threats.
Relations between Israel and Russia: Conflict of interests against the backdrop of weapons for Hezbollah
The discovery of Russian weapons in the possession of Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon is creating serious tension in relations between Israel and Russia. Although Israel and Russia maintain diplomatic relations and avoid direct conflict, the discovery raises a number of questions and could change the dynamics of their interaction.
Russia's dual policy
Russia has long supported Syria, Iran and indirectly Hezbollah, providing weapons to these countries and groups. For Israel, this position is particularly troubling, since Hezbollah not only threatens its security, but is also actively using modern Russian weapons to enhance its capabilities.
In an interview with a French newspaper Le Figaro Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly pointed out the presence of modern Russian weapons in the hands of Hezbollah militants. This raises questions about Russia's role in supporting terrorist groups, and Israel faces pressure to rethink its policy towards Moscow.
Why Israel is avoiding direct conflict with Russia
At the moment, Israel is trying to avoid direct confrontation with Russia, despite the presence of Russian weapons in Hezbollah. The main reasons for this:
- The strategic importance of relations with Russia. Russia plays a key role in Syria, and Israel is interested in maintaining a coordination mechanism to avoid direct clashes between its military and Russian forces on Syrian territory.
- Threats from Iran. Russia is cooperating with Iran, but Israel does not want to break off dialogue with Moscow, as this could increase Iran's influence in the Middle East.
- Global diplomatic game. Israel is aware that too harsh measures against Russia could worsen its position in the international arena, where a balance between interests is important.
What Israel Can Do
However, the presence of modern Russian weapons in Hezbollah requires a response, and Israel can take the following steps:
- Diplomatic pressure. Israel may begin to actively demand an explanation from Russia regarding the discovered weapons. Perhaps even at the UN level. The discovery of weapons that were supposed to be sent to the Syrian military, but ended up in the hands of the militants, violates international resolutions, and this may become a reason for pressure on Moscow.
- Review of coordination mechanisms. Israel may reconsider its agreements with Russia on Syria, strengthen its independence in this matter and limit the exchange of information with Moscow.
- Strengthening ties with the US. In parallel, Israel can intensify its relations with the United States and other Western allies to gain more active support in countering Russian influence in the region.
Questions for Russia: where is the responsibility?
“How did modern Russian weapons end up in the hands of terrorists, despite all Moscow’s assurances about compliance with international standards?” is a question that must be raised in the international arena. The discovered Kornet ATGMs and Igla MANPADS, produced in 2018-2021, demonstrate that arms supplies from Russia to Hezbollah continue, despite all the Kremlin’s assurances.
For Israel, this fact becomes a signal that Russia is playing a double game. On the one hand, Moscow declares the need to fight terrorism, on the other hand, it is actively arming those who threaten stability in the region.
Conclusion
For Israel, the discovery of Russian weapons in Hezbollah is an alarming signal that requires a review of relations with Moscow. Although Israel is trying to avoid a direct conflict with Russia, it is obvious that this problem will not be solved without diplomatic pressure and international initiatives.
