Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in an interview published by a French newspaper on Wednesday that his forces found "modern" Russian weapons during searches of Hezbollah bases in southern Lebanon, also confirming that his country does not want a "new civil war" in Lebanon.

In his interview with Le Figaro, Netanyahu reminded that UN Security Council Resolution 1701 issued in 2006 allows only the Lebanese army to carry weapons in areas south of the Litani River. He added, "However, in this area, Hezbollah has dug hundreds of tunnels and shelters, where we just found a quantity of modern Russian weapons."

The Washington Post reported, citing Israeli officials, that Russian and Chinese anti-tank weapons were found during Israeli incursions into Lebanon since the escalation of the conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah last month. The Israeli army did not immediately respond to a question from Agence France-Presse regarding the Prime Minister's statements.

Israel claims that the goal of its military campaign against Hezbollah is to secure its northern areas so that around 60,000 people who have been displaced can return to their homes. Northern residents left their homes due to shelling across the border between Israel and Hezbollah after the Gaza war began on October 7 last year.

Netanyahu told Le Figaro, "The outbreak of a new civil war in Lebanon would be a tragedy. We certainly do not aim to provoke such a war, and Israel does not intend to intervene in Lebanon's internal affairs." He added, "Our only goal is to allow our citizens living along the Lebanese border to return to their homes and feel safe."

Hezbollah and Israel have gradually exchanged fire across the border after Hamas's attacks on Israel led to the outbreak of the Gaza war. According to a tally by Agence France-Presse based on figures from the Lebanese Ministry of Health, at least 1,373 people have died in Lebanon since Israel began attacking Hezbollah. The actual toll is likely to be higher than that.