The following are summaries of today's major stories published in the Arabic press. LBCI does not edit press digest articles for content, giving English-language readers insight into the various views expressed in newspapers across the Arab world.
Sources told an-Nahar daily that Hezbollah informed Israel through the United Nations, that it is content with its response to the al-Quneitra attack in the Shebaa farms, and will remain so only if Israel does not escalate the situation.
The sources added that Israel seemed to be avoiding a war during the timing chosen by Hezbollah and Iran.
Information Minister Ramzi Jreij stressed that Israel’s response to the Shebaa farms attack carried out by Hezbollah cannot be predicted in form or scale, ruling out the possibility that it will be similar to the July war of 2006.
In a statement to Acharq al-Awsat, Jreij noted that Hezbollah is represented in the cabinet, adding that its ministers will reveal the party’s point of view during today’s cabinet session.
“The party’s positions do not reflect Lebanon’s official stance expressed by the prime minister,” he stressed.
The head of the Socialist Progressive Party Walid Jumblatt explained that the borders of the Shebaa farms are non-demarcated between Lebanon and Syria, noting that “Hezbollah made a smart move to respond to the al-Quneitra attack by striking from a Syrian land, rather than from with the Lebanese territories.”
In a statement to al-Mustaqbal daily, Jumblatt said that Lebanon cannot afford the repercussions of a new possible war, pointing out that the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cannot handle a war under the current circumstances.
“But no one can predict what may result from Netanyahu’s madness,” he added.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mohammad Fneish told as-Safir daily that he hopes that the political forces are aware of the "seriousness of Israel's intentions," calling on them to handle the situation responsibly and wisely.
“Prime Minister Tammam Salam knows how to contain the discussion regarding the Shebaa farms attack during today’s cabinet session,” he added, noting that the political parties are expected to issue their stances over the latest developments.