Contacts are ongoing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent him from executing his threat to launch a broad war on Lebanon, a diplomatic source said.

“Netanyahu has told the leaders of world powers, most notably the U.S., Russia and France, that he wants to discipline Hezbollah,” the source added, in remarks to the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper.

“Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Netanyahu against launching a surprise war on Lebanon, because its consequences will be disastrous for the two countries and because the drones and missile that took hours to reach Israel from Iran will arrive in a few minutes should war erupt with Lebanon,” the source said.

“Russia is continuing its efforts to prevent a deterioration and it has advised Lebanon and Hezbollah that Hezbollah should not engage in any Iranian responses against Israel should there be responses and counter-responses,” the source added.