Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem told Russian news agency RT on Wednesday that Hezbollah would respond to Israel’s drone attack in Beirut on Sunday, but does not anticipate a war breaking out, according to a Ynet report on Wednesday.

“There is no atmosphere of war but rather a response to an attack. It will all be decided when the time comes,” Qassem said, adding that the response will be a surprise and Hezbollah is not interested in providing details that may aid Israel.

The London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper also reported on Wednesday that Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has contacted international and US officials, including US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, for assistance in ensuring Israeli restraint.

The Russian foreign ministry also reported that Hariri had called Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday and requested that he use his influence to prevent a further escalation of tensions between Israel and Lebanon.

Israel launched two drones into Beirut on Sunday, striking the Hezbollah stronghold neighborhood of Dahiya. One drone wounded three people and damaged a Hezbollah media office, according to a Hezbollah spokesperson.

The IDF also attacked Syria on Saturday night, striking Iranian targets in Damascus after intercepting intelligence reports revealing plans to attack northern Israel with “killer” drones.

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(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)